The situation in Gaza is already clear. “doomsday” and “catastrophe”. 60 to 70 percent of the dead are civilians and 85 percent of the population is displaced. Faced with this worrying scenario, the European Union is now considering taking new steps and imposing new sanctions. more sanctions. As head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell confirmed, the EU’s intention is to take action. against Hamas and counter “Radical Israeli settlers” Attacking Palestinians in the West Bank in line with US sanctions.
The idea of imposing new sanctions against the Islamist organization Hamas, which is on the list of terrorist organizations in Europe, was discussed. France, Italy and Germany. As Borrell explained, no Member State opposed it, so it will now be submitted to the Council for adoption. At the same time, the head of European diplomacy has promised to present a proposal to punish extremist settlers who attack Palestinians in the West Bank. “We must move from words to actions. “Stop saying we’re worried, which we are, and start taking the measures we can against acts of violence against the Palestinian people in the West Bank,” he said.
Borrell still confessed There is no “unanimity” but their service is currently working on a list of “individuals known for violent activities and attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank,” which would put a proposal on the table. “We will propose sanctions against them within the framework of our instruments to defend human rights, and Member States will decide,” he said after a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels.
Division over ceasefire
Hours before a new European Council will meet in Brussels this Thursday and Friday, no consensus was reached on the ceasefire request on behalf of the Twenty-Seven. This is an issue that divides Member States, despite demands from the following countries: Spain, Ireland, Belgium and Malta Their prime minister sent a letter to European Council President Charles Michel last Saturday, requesting to be more assertive in the message that will come out of the summit at the end of the week.
“We must press for a long pause that will lead to a ceasefire and a sustainable ceasefire,” he said. He defended French foreign minister Catherine Colonna. This is an issue that will return to the United Nations General Assembly this Tuesday after the United States vetoed a proposal put forward by the United Arab Emirates. Borrell admitted that he did not know what would happen or whether the Twenty-Seven would vote united or show division as in the vote at the end of October.
In any case, the alarm bell rings again. “The bombings continue with extraordinary intensity, and we have requested forums such as the G7 that Israel not use the same tactics in the south as in the north of Gaza. but they are the same, even worse,” warned Borrell, noting that the prospects for the Palestinian territories were now “dark” with no shelters or places of safety.