Britain clashes with EU over Israel intervention as bloc leaders shy away from UK-US hardline
Britain clashes with EU over Israel intervention as bloc leaders accused of being soft
PA
Britain is on a collision course to clash with the EU over the bloc's decision to support a “humanitarian pause” in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas as the UK sides with the US to take a harder stance against the terrorist group.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said he backed a call by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for a ceasefire to allow aid to be brought through.
The French prime minister, Elizabeth Borne, also supported calls for a truce, which would allow more time to negotiate the release of hundreds of hostages.
The move has divided Western powers, with some member states set to back a “pause” laid out in a draft statement, whilst others are preparing troops on the ground.
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Rishi Sunak said a ceasefire would be “difficult”, citing Israel’s right to defend itself to the House of Commons.
“It is difficult to tell Israel to have a ceasefire when it is still facing rocket fire on an almost daily basis, and when its citizens are still being held hostage and it has suffered an appalling terrorist attack where it has a right to defend itself,” the Prime Minister told MPs.
Similarly, Joe Biden has confirmed America’s support for Israel, and the country has recently announced that they will be sending additional troops and weapons there.
He also rejected calls for a pause in fighting, saying: “We should have those hostages released and then we can talk.”
Sunak said that “misreporting” at a Gaza hospital explosion last week has negatively impacted the US’ desire to dial down tensions in the region.
Three EU countries – who have chosen to remain anonymous – have also raised their concerns.
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The divergence suggests that the draft statement may have to be relooked at to reflect the views of all EU member states, so all 27 can sign it off at an EU summit later this week.
Borell said: “Now the most important thing is for humanitarian support to go into Gaza.”
However, EU countries have yet to agree on the best way to increase the flow of aid to the region.
EU heavyweight France has backed a pause whilst Germany has yet to give its support.
Asked why Germany had not backed calls for a ceasefire, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said recent days had shown the importance of getting aid into Gaza but had also made clear that Hamas was continuing to attack Israel.
“We cannot contain the humanitarian catastrophe if Gaza’s terrorism continues. There will be no security and no peace for either Israel or the Palestinians if this terrorism continues,” Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s foreign minister, said.
A view of the surroundings of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital after it was hit in Gaza CityGETTYElsewhere, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia and Luxembourg have all publicly backed the idea of a humanitarian pause.
Micheál Martin, Ireland’s foreign minister, said: “The suffering of innocent civilians, particularly children, is on a scale that requires an immediate cessation in our view.”
Yet Austria and Czech Republic, similarly to Germany, have questioned the viability of the proposal.
Alexander Schallenberg, Austria’s foreign minister, said: “Of course everyone would wish that the violence comes to an end. But Israel has the right to self-defence.”
The divergence in views has reflected long-standing differences within the EU on the Israel-Palestine conflict, which has been ongoing for decades.
Over 5,000 Palestinians – over 50 per cent being women and children – have died as a result of Israeli counter strikes.
Hamas’ attack on October 7 has killed at least 1,4000 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli officials.