EU Ministers Face Their Divisions on Gaza at Copenhagen Meeting

SadaNews - European Union foreign ministers are set to confront their divisions regarding the war in Gaza today, Saturday, after the bloc's humanitarian aid official urged them to find a "strong voice that reflects our values and principles."

Ministers from the 27 member states of the bloc will discuss the Israeli war in Gaza, which began after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, during a meeting in the Danish capital, Copenhagen.

A number of European governments have voiced sharp criticisms of Israel's conduct in the war, especially regarding the killing of civilians and the restrictions on humanitarian aid supplies, according to Reuters.

The condemnation intensified after the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a global monitoring body for hunger, announced last week that it had found famine conditions in Gaza, a claim Israel has rejected.

However, EU member states are divided over a joint response, with some calling for economic measures to pressure Israel, while others have expressed their desire to continue dialogue.

Last month, the European Commission proposed imposing restrictions on Israel's access to the EU's research funding program, but the proposal has not yet garnered enough support from member states for implementation.

Diplomats reported that countries like France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland have expressed support for the proposal, but other countries such as Germany and Italy have not backed it so far.

The European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management, Helga Schmid, said, "It is time for the EU to find a collective voice on Gaza."

Speaking to reporters in Brussels this week, Schmid declined to specify the actions she believes should be taken, but clarified that she wants more pressure on Israel.

She added, "What is happening there (in Gaza) worries me, and it should worry all of us. This is a tragedy, and history will judge us."

Israel rejects the criticisms of its conduct in the war, arguing that its military actions are necessary to defeat Hamas. Ministers are expected to express their views at the Copenhagen meeting, but no decisions are anticipated.

The ministers are also expected to discuss the war in Ukraine and the future of frozen Russian assets in the EU under sanctions against Moscow, which are valued at approximately 210 billion euros ($245.85 billion).