With an investigation into Israel’s actions in Gaza, the European Union is wearing the pressure

The stock of goodwill on which Israel can build in the Western world is shrinking quickly. After the shock of the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, Israel was able to count on far-reaching international solidarity. The reproaches of violation of humanitarian law and the inhumane treatment of the population of Gaza have undermined that togetherness. The pressure is increasing.

The European Union will investigate whether Israel still meets the standards for humanitarian law that are laid down in an association agreement. That sounds like a small bureaucratic step and will not immediately lead to more food and emergency aid in Gaza, but it is a clear signal to Israel, according to Minister Caspar Veldkamp (Foreign Affairs, NSC) who took the initiative for the investigation.

The situation in Gaza is catastrophic

Europe gives « a very clear signal that it is really serious for us, » said Veldkamp in Brussels on Tuesday after a meeting of Foreign Ministers « We are really very concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. » According to Veldkamp, ​​the EU also tells Israel that it must stop « now » military action and that the country must completely eliminate humanitarian blockade.

« The situation in Gaza is catastrophic, » said EU-Buitenland chef Kaja Kallas. « Immediately assistance must start on a large scale, because that is necessary. »

‘Inadmissible’ offensive

A number of large countries have already increased the pressure on the Netanyahu government in recent days. The leaders of France, Canada and the United Kingdom shouted Israel on Monday in a joint explanation of the military operations in Gaza and to quickly allow more humanitarian aid. A refusal would not remain without consequences, the three warned. The UK also broke down negotiations on a free trade agreement with Israel on Tuesday and summoned the Israeli ambassador to protest against the ‘unacceptable’ offensive in Gaza.

Before he entered the meeting, Veldkamp did not seem sure that he had gained sufficient support for his investigation in recent weeks. « The care that the Netherlands has about the situation in the Gaza Strip is very broadly shared in the EU, » but Veldkamp also said that an investigation « We will see that by some Member States. We will see that. » In the end it turned out to be a large majority, says Kallas. According to international press agencies, nine countries voted against: Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Lithuania, Croatia and Bulgaria.

After Israel had previously let nine trucks with relief supplies into the besieged area, another hundred trucks followed on Tuesday, the United Nations reported. For the past eleven weeks, Israel has stopped all help. The country sticks to its line that the war ends when Hamas lays down its weapons and releases the 58 hostages. Presumably about 23 hostages are still alive.

It is still unclear how long the investigation will take. But it may mean that the EU is slowly driven in the direction of serious measures. If the conclusions of the study are poor, it is difficult for the EU to ignore it. The EU is hopelessly distributed when it comes to Gaza, just like many coalition alloys and the European population.

Previous research

In fact, a separate investigation into possible violation of humanitarian principles is not necessary at all. At the end of last year, the Foreign Service of the EU also investigated Israel’s actions. The then EU BuitenlandChef Josep Borrell asked the special representative for the human rights of the EU, Olof Skoog, for an investigation. The report, dated November 11, 2024, describes the behavior of Israel in Gaza, on the western Jordoever and in Lebanon.

Nine countries voted against the research: Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Lithuania, Croatia and Bulgaria

It is essentially a list of investigations and conclusions from other institutions, including the Bureau of the High Commissioner for Refugees from the UN, the International Court of Appeal and the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. Skoog does not venture into its own conclusions. But after the very dry list, a reader can only conclude that Israel has violated international humanitarian law on countless points.

The report was not published, but Borrell suggested to cancel the association agreement with European ministers a week later in his last meeting with European ministers. His proposal was then quickly swept off the table, including by Minister Veldkamp.

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