BRUSSELS (AP) – The European Union comes amid growing concerns that a war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas could increase tensions between Europe’s communities and bring in more refugees seeking refuge. Leaders will hold an emergency summit on Tuesday.
After Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, sparking a new war in Gaza, a series of social media messages, statements and visits by EU officials sowed confusion about the 27-nation coalition’s intentions. In response, leaders are likely to make efforts to restore some degree of order.
More than 4,000 people have been killed and about 200 Israelis, including children, taken hostage in Israel and Gaza since Hamas began its bloody uprising. Rallies supporting both sides are being held across Europe. Some are prohibited.
“Conflicts can have serious security implications for our societies,” EU Council President Charles Michel announced Monday for a video summit. The meeting will also focus on obtaining aid for civilians and working with other countries in the region to prevent escalation of tensions.
Last week, France ordered a ban on pro-Palestinian demonstrations and the number of anti-Semitic acts rose. Both the EU and the US consider Hamas a terrorist organization.
In the Paris region, the Louvre Museum and the Palace of Versailles received bomb threats over the weekend, forcing the evacuation of visitors and staff, and the French government ordered 7,000 people to strengthen security across the country after a school stabbing by a suspected Islamic extremist. began dispatching troops.
Germany has also strengthened security. Berlin has offered military aid to Israel and promised to crack down on support for Hamas within the country. Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized Germany’s historical responsibility for Israel’s security.
Michel said the war “could exacerbate inter-communal tensions and foster extremism” in Europe, adding that “there is a huge risk of migration and movement of large numbers of people to neighboring countries”. Stated.
He said the leaders would consider ways to assist civilians in Israel and Gaza caught up in the war, and work with other countries in the Middle East and Persian Gulf region to prevent the conflict from escalating.
In an interview with The Associated Press on Friday, Michel warned that the exodus of people from Gaza could worsen divisions within the EU. “If there are further difficulties at the regional level, there will immediately be greater difficulties on European soil because of the refugees,” he said.
More than 1 million people have fled their homes in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected Israeli ground invasion aimed at destroying Hamas.
President Michel condemned the “brutal terrorist attack” and said “Israel has the right to defend itself in full compliance with international law and international humanitarian law.”
Also high on leaders’ list of concerns will be the EU’s embarrassingly mixed messages over the conflict. Immediately after Hamas launched its attacks, the bloc’s executive committee members announced an immediate suspension of development aid measures to help the Palestinian Authority overcome poverty.
A few hours later, the European Commission’s position changed. Instead, it announced an urgent review of the aid to ensure the funds were not misused. Hamas is listed as a terrorist organization by the EU and therefore does not receive such funds anyway.
On Saturday, the committee announced a tripling of humanitarian aid to Gaza, money used in times of crisis or disaster, such as war.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had visited Israel shortly before the aid was announced, but her visit was not coordinated with EU member states. In fact, the European Commission has no powers under the EU Treaties to implement foreign policy. She was also criticized for not urging Israel to protect Palestinian civilians.
“We have put sentiment and visibility above the EU’s core interests,” an EU official said on Monday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to speak candidly about the turmoil, said several member states were dissatisfied with the way the deal was being handled in Brussels.
But von der Leyen’s spokesman Eric Mummer said: “The president can travel wherever he wants.”
“She visited Israel to express solidarity with a country that was the target of an unprovoked terrorist attack. That is completely her prerogative,” he said.
Von der Leyen and Michel will travel to Washington later this week for an EU-US summit with President Joe Biden.
Human rights groups are disappointed that the communications breakdown occurred during a major crisis. The EU is the world’s biggest donor to the Palestinians, but has little influence over Israel.
Vittorio Infante, Oxfam’s EU humanitarian policy expert, said: “Now is not the time for mixed messages. Rather, what we need is decisive moral leadership that centers the cause of peace.” . “With each passing moment, civilians are paying an increasingly high price.”
