The president of the European Council, Antonio Costa. Photo: Frederick Florin / AFP / Profimedia
The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, on Friday criticized the plan of Israel to take control of the city of Gaza and expel Palestinians, warning that “such a decision must have consequences” on EU and Israel relations, AFP reports.
“I exhort the Israeli government firmly to reconsider its decision,” Antonio Costa wrote on the X platform.
“Such a decision must have consequences on EU-Israel relations, which will be evaluated by the council,” he continued.
“The situation in Gaza remains dramatic, and the decision of the Israeli government will only aggravate it,” added the president of the European Council.
A message also sent the President of the European Commission on Friday, Ursula von der Leyen, who asked Israel to abandon the Palestinian territory.
“The decision of the Israeli government to expand its military operation in Gaza must be reconsidered,” she said on X.
The chairman of the European Commission also asked for the release of all the Israelis prisoners in Gaza, as well as “immediate and unrestricted access” for humanitarian aid.
Divergent positions in the EU
The community block has endeavored to take action on the war and the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, but it is divided among the firm supporters of Israel, as was the case of Germany, and those who defend the Palestinians, as Spain.
In July, the head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, presented a series of options to punish Israel, after being found guilty of violating a cooperation agreement with human rights.
Since then, Brussels has proposed suspending Israel's access to EU financing for technological startups, a movement that Member States have not yet approved.
Also last month, the EU has perfected an agreement to increase the access of aid in Gaza, but high -ranking officials claim that it was only partially implemented.
Germany has dramatically changed its tone on Friday, when it announced a suspension of exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in the Gaza strip.
The same day, Belgium announced the convening of the Israeli ambassador to express his “total disapproval” against Israel's plans to take on military control over Gaza.
Change of tone and in Brussels
Teresa Ribera, executive vice-president of the European Commission, told Politico on Thursday that the approach of Israel “looks a lot” with a genocide, referring to people who die of hunger, are relocated or killed in the Gaza strip.
The remarks were made two days after the letter sent by three political groups in the European Parliament – Socialists, Green and Left – to EU leaders and Kaja Kallas.
“There is clear evidence that a genocide is committed in Gaza,” the three political groups wrote, demanding measures.
