Competence on foreign policy matters is exclusive to Member States, and therefore it is EU governments, not the European Commission, that determine the European Union’s position in this area. After a week of growing unrest in various European capitals due to the prominence of the Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen– Who went to Israel on Friday accompanied by the President of the European Parliament – and his stance on the issue Israeli-Palestinian conflict -Without placing any restrictions on Israel’s right to self-defence- President of the European Council, Charles MichelHe called on European leaders emergency meeting It will take place via video conference on Tuesday, October 17.
The tone of the response has already been set. 27 European leaders agreed on this issue this Sunday in a joint declaration negotiated over the weekend. “The European Union condemns in the strongest terms Hamas and its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks in different parts of Israel and deeply regrets the loss of human life. “There can be no justification for terrorism,” they say. The Twenty-Seven also recognize Israel’s right to defend itself against these indiscriminate attacks. “In accordance with international and humanitarian law”and “to ensure that all civilians are protected at all times, in accordance with international humanitarian law.”
It is an important slogan that President von der Leyen has avoided including in her messages of solidarity towards Israel throughout the week, although EU foreign ministers had already made this emphasis at the United Nations in an emergency meeting last Tuesday. – in this respect Benjamin Netanyahu’s government must be supplied and do not act contrary to international and humanitarian law. In any case, the controversy had started hours before the dismissal of Hungarian, the commissioner responsible for neighborhood policy. Oliver VarhelyiHe unilaterally terminated aid for cooperation with Palestine without consulting any other commission members. “Members of the college were unaware of Commissioner Varhelyi’s announcement. Von der Leyen’s spokesman admitted hours later that “it was not coordinated with other members of the University.”
Strategic discussion
The aim of Tuesday’s meeting between the EU’s heads of state and government is to conduct a “strategic discussion”, an “open” and “honest” conversation, to analyze the difficulties in the EU, in the face of a situation that everyone describes as “serious”. Assess the level of security or migration and the possibility of requesting a ceasefire. According to the sources interviewed, special requests may also come from the ministers of justice, interior and foreign affairs at the meeting aimed at harmonizing the positions. “We felt it a certain order was needed. “What we saw last week went in many directions and did not reflect the position of the Council or the Member States,” EU sources said, in the face of a week full of conflicting messages that once again revealed the EU’s problems. The European Union will respond unanimously.
“The important thing is that the Union is not a kingdom. This is a structure based on law and we have procedures. We have an agreement that says the Council sets the tone in foreign relations. We had an Outdoor Council at the beginning of last week. Because what was said was not respected, leaders had to determine the EU’s position,” the same sources explain, describing von der Leyen’s role throughout the week as a call for order.
“I don’t remember anyone criticizing the president who went to Ukraine after the start of the war, after Russia’s attacks in Bucha. “As President of the Commission, she can travel wherever she wants, that should be clear,” von der Leyen’s spokesman responded this Monday to criticism arising from her trip. “This is among their prerogatives. He has done this before and will continue to do it,” added Eric Mamer, a trip in which he demonstrated full European solidarity against Israel but did not establish any contact or meet with any leaders of the Palestinian National Authority.
But facing enormous political pressure, von der Leyen said on Saturday: humanitarian aid to Gaza This will increase from 21 million euros to 75 million euros. “The Commission supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas terrorists, with full respect for international humanitarian law. “We are working hard to ensure that innocent civilians in Gaza are supported in this context,” he said, making a correction of sorts. Both von der Leyen and Michel will appear on stage after the emergency summit this Tuesday. Both leaders maintained contacts with other countries in the region, such as Egypt, which plans to hold a summit next Saturday.