The President of the European Council has summoned the leaders of the 27 by videoconference on Tuesday to an extraordinary meeting to determine a common position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it was announced today.
“The tragic scenes unfolding in the Gaza Strip are the result of the siege and the lack thereof [acesso] basic needs, combined with the devastation caused by significant bombing [de Israel]sound the alarm for the international community,” reports a letter from Charles Michel to the Heads of State and Government of the European Union (EU).
For this reason, the President of the Council called for “an extraordinary European Council, which will take place on Tuesday at 5.30 pm local time (4.30 pm in Lisbon) by videoconference”.
“It is of the utmost importance that the European Council, in accordance with the Treaties and our values, establish a common position and a clear, unified line of action that reflects the complexity of the unfolding situation”, defended.
According to Charles Michel, the conflict has “many consequences, including for the EU”.
“Firstly,” he continued in the letter to Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa, among others, the Union “has always been and must remain a staunch defender of peace and respect for international law, just as it was with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.”
The European Union “must make efforts to provide humanitarian assistance” to the Palestinian population, “to avoid a regional escalation of the conflict and possible loopholes in humanitarian law.”
“We should not lose sight of the importance of seeking a lasting and lasting peace, based on the two-state solution, through renewed efforts in the Middle East peace process,” he added.
Regarding the communities present in the 27, Charles Michel warned of “the consequences”, “if care is not taken”, of the “potential to worsen inter-communal tensions and fuel extremism”, especially against Muslims and anti-Semitic demonstrations.
Finally, the President of the European Council warned that there could be an exodus of refugees which, “if not carefully managed”, could worsen the migration problem on Europe’s doorstep.
“It is imperative that we tackle all these challenges together. Our unity is our strength,” he concluded in the letter to the 27.
The Islamist movement Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel last Saturday with the launch of thousands of rockets and the incursion of armed militiamen by land, sea and air.
In response, Israel bombed several Hamas infrastructure in the Gaza Strip from the air and imposed a total siege of the territory, cutting off water, fuel and electricity supplies.
The attacks have already caused thousands of deaths and injuries in both areas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is “at war” with Hamas.
Source: DN
