Von der Leyen urges EU to punish Israel over ‘man-made famine’ in Gaza
Ursula von der Leyen has implored divided EU governments to take action against Israel for its "man-made famine" in Gaza.
The European Commission president stated that deadlocked member states need to "find majorities" to halt trade with Israel and impose sanctions on its "extremist" ministers and settlers.
"Man-made famine can never be a weapon of war. For the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity – this must stop," Mrs. von der Leyen said during her annual State of the Union address on Wednesday.
She cautioned that the EU could "not afford to be paralyzed" in the face of starvation in the Strip caused by restrictions on aid and Israeli efforts to disrupt a future two-state solution.
She mentioned that Brussels would "do all that it can on its own" by freezing some of its financial support to Israel, which conducted air strikes on Hamas targets in Qatar on Tuesday.
EU member states are deeply divided over Israel’s war in Gaza, which commenced following the Oct 7 terror attacks by Hamas.
"I am aware it will be difficult to find majorities. And I know that any action will be too much for some. Too little for others. But we must all assume our own responsibilities," Mrs. von der Leyen addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
She noted that Europeans were "asking how much worse things must get before there is unity of response. I understand. Because what is happening in Gaza is unacceptable."
An earlier suggestion to suspend parts of funding to Israel under the Horizon programme, an essential research and innovation initiative for the bloc, has not gained the support of all member states.
EU sanctions require unanimous approval from all states, while suspending the trade elements of the association agreement needs a majority weighted by population.
Both actions appear nearly impossible, due to support for Israel from Hungary and populous countries such as Germany and Italy.
Countries including Spain, Ireland, France, and the Netherlands backed suspending or reviewing the association agreement on human rights grounds.
Mrs. von der Leyen stated the commission would "put our bilateral support to Israel on hold... without affecting our work with Israeli civil society." She added that funding for the operations of Yad Vashem, Israel’s primary Holocaust memorial center, in Jerusalem would not be affected.
The extent of the impact of freezing bilateral support from the commission is unclear. Most of its funding to Israel is intended for civil society and humanitarian purposes.
The speech marks a shift in tone from a German center-right politician who faced criticism from some member states for her quick defense of Israel’s right to defend itself after the 2023 Hamas attacks and kidnappings.
Mrs. von der Leyen accused Israel of "a clear attempt to undermine the two-state solution. To undermine the vision of a viable Palestinian state, we must not let that happen."
She emphasized that she is a "long-standing friend of Israel" and urged for the release of hostages, unrestricted access for all humanitarian aid, and a ceasefire.
A lasting peace can only be achieved with a two-state solution, "with a secure Israel, a viable Palestinian authority, and the scourge of Hamas removed," she added.
Mrs. von der Leyen faced pressure to act from MEPs, large demonstrations across Europe, and protests from her own commission staff.
Left-wing MEPs, many donning red in protest against Israel’s war on Gaza, gave Mrs. von der Leyen a standing ovation.
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