According to Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (coordinator), the EU also has channels of influence on countries in the Middle East that are close to Hamas. Israel is used to relying on the United States.
BRUSSELS EU foreign ministers discussed the Middle East crisis and support for Ukraine in Brussels. The US Secretary of State also visited the meeting remotely Antony Blinken.
After the January meeting of foreign ministers, the foreign minister Elina Valtonen (co.) said regarding the suffering in Gaza: “Enough is enough!”
The measure of the EU seemed to have become full of civilian distress. The impression left from the meeting is that Israel is being pressured to deliver aid.
Since then, the situation in Gaza has only gotten worse, and news pictures show hospitals filled with starving children.
EU High Representative for External Relations Josep Borrell stated in the morning during the meeting that Gaza has turned from an open prison into a large cemetery.
The United States is considered to have clearly more influence over Israel than the EU.
Valtonen: The strength of the EU is to talk to the parties directly
Valtonen pointed out at the press conference that the European Union is said to be fragmented and no decisions can be made.
– I don’t think so. The EU has been reasonably consistent here all along, of course there are different voices regarding the situation in the Middle East. Our strength is that we are able to talk directly with the parties.
According to Valtonen, it is important to create pressure for both parties. Israel should allow aid convoys into Gaza. The EU has opened a sea route for humanitarian aid from Cyprus to Gaza, but airdrops do not deliver aid as efficiently as by land.
Hamas is required to release the hostages it took in connection with the attack.
The influence of neighboring countries extends to Hamas
The next goal is a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
– Different countries are able to talk to different parties in different ways. And also with the countries in the neighboring regions that have influence on Hamas, for example. This is the absolute strength of the EU, for example compared to the United States, which does not necessarily have exactly the same channel in all circumstances, Valtonen said.
Ireland and Spain have taken the initiative to dissolve the free trade agreement between the EU and Israel. However, the initiative does not receive unreserved support, at least Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic have resisted. These countries also do not want to pressure Israel into, for example, a ceasefire.
The EU’s long-term goal is a two-state model for Israel and the Palestinians.