EU Officials Address Gaza Conflict
During a speech at Sciences Po on Thursday, Teresa Ribera, a prominent EU official, became the first high-ranking representative to refer to Israel’s military actions in Gaza as “genocide,” reports 24brussels.
Ribera stated, “The genocide in Gaza exposes Europe’s failure to act and speak with one voice, even as protests spread across European cities and 14 U.N. Security Council members call for an immediate ceasefire.”
Her remarks drew immediate condemnation from Israel, with the foreign ministry labeling them as “baseless allegations” and accusing Ribera of acting as a “mouthpiece for Hamas propaganda.”
Although Ribera has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, this speech marked the first occasion where she directly used the term genocide. Previously, in an August interview, she suggested that the situation in Gaza, characterized by starvation, displacement, and fatalities, “looks very much” like genocide. She also advocated for the EU to consider suspending its Association Agreement with Israel.
The escalation of violence began when Hamas-led militants launched an unprecedented attack from Gaza into Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, the majority of whom were civilians.
The repercussions of the ongoing conflict continue to reverberate throughout Europe, where public outcry and political debates intensify regarding the EU’s stance and response to the situation in Gaza.
