https://www.dn.se/varlden/eu-ledare-kraver-hardare-tag-mot-israel/
EU leaders call for tougher action against Israel
Published yesterday 06:29
An Israeli-backed foundation wants to take over all aid distribution in Gaza. All international organizations condemn the idea, which the UN says is against the law. Photo: Majdi Fathi/TT
The Benelux countries are pushing for tougher EU action against Israel due to developments in Gaza.
– What we see is an absolute shame, says Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot.
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Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp has written to EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas, demanding a review of the Union's so-called association agreement with Israel.
Veldkamp – from the conservative party NSC – believes that the EU must "draw a line in the sand".
"We see that the Israeli blockade against humanitarian aid continues and also new developments with decisions from the Israeli security cabinet to increase the war effort, statements from Israeli ministers about reoccupying Gaza and total destruction. This is something we cannot tolerate," says Veldkamp.
He is in Warsaw where EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss the situation in the Middle East during their informal meeting on Thursday.
His colleague from Belgium is even sharper.
– It is time for the EU and the world and the international community to wake up. Cutting off access to humanitarian aid, food, healthcare, electricity and water as a war strategy is completely unacceptable. Women and children are starving. I expect a strong reaction from the EU, says social conservative Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot.
Germany's newly elected Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, who have described the situation in Gaza as "the worst we have ever seen", are also critical of Israel's plans to take over the distribution of all aid via a private foundation . They share the UN's assessment that humanitarian aid "must never be politicized or militarized".
Michael Schulz, professor of peace and development research, believes that the only weapon the EU has left since Israel does not care what either the UN or the International Criminal Court says is precisely the weapon of trade:
"If the EU decided to boycott Israel and exclude them from certain contexts, it could put more pressure on the current government in Israel. The US could also use its power to stop what even the Israeli military calls "madness," he says.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told DN on Monday that the government is "concerned about the development".
– We are trying to get as unified a view as possible within the EU on this, added Ulf Kristersson.
Read more:
The world condemns Israel – but so far only in words
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