Irish PM Leo Varadkar admits to ‘differences in opinion’ among EU leaders over Gaza crisis after accusing Commission president Ursula von der Leyen of ‘lacking balance’ with support for Israel
Ireland’s Leo Varadkar has admitted there are ‘differences in opinion’ among EU leaders over the Gaza crisis, after an emergency meeting to discuss the growing humanitarian disaster in the Middle East.
EU heads of state met last night to discuss Europe’s response to the deepening violence triggered by a Hamas terrorist attack.
The Taoiseach afterwards insisted there was ‘unity’ in the EU, having previously criticised European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen for ‘lacking balance’ by giving EU backing to Israel without any call for its actions in Gaza to comply with international law.
Speaking on Tuesday night after the meeting, he said there had also been ‘differences of opinion and differences of emphasis’ at the meeting, but added: ‘What I would have taken away from the meeting was a strong view from a lot of us attending that meeting, that we needed to be balanced in our comments and what we say – and I think that was very much accepted by everyone.
‘That yes, Israel has the right to defend itself but that’s not a carte blanche.
‘Principles such as humanitarian law are universal and Europe has been very strong in its condemnation of the targeting of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and those basic principles need to apply in all parts of the world, no matter who’s involved.’
The Taoiseach insisted their was ‘unity’ in the EU, having previously criticised Ms von der Leyen for ‘lacking balance’ by giving EU backing to Israel without any call for its actions in Gaza to comply with international law.
EU heads of state met last night with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, European Council president Charles Michel and high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell to discuss Europe’s response to the deepening violence triggered by a Hamas terrorist attack.
He added: ‘There is strong condemnation of Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel, its use of Palestinian civilians as human shields and taking of hostages as well.
‘A lot of solidarity for France, for Belgium and for Sweden who’ve experienced terrorist attacks in the last couple of days and the real fear that we’ll see more of that happening in Europe.
‘Support for Israel’s right to defend itself but a very clear view that that has limitations and Israel must act within the confines of international humanitarian law in the actions it takes.
‘And a real effort that I think you’re going to see from European countries working together over the next couple of days to open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza, to try and gather EU passport holders out to safety, to avoid an escalation of conflict and to try and use the influence we have to ensure that we don’t see this escalation and spread to other parts of the region.’
Mr Varadkar said there was also a commitment to treble EU aid to Gaza.
On Monday, Irish President Michael D Higgins criticised the EU Commission president, insisting she was ‘not speaking for Ireland’.
Ms von der Leyen has faced widespread criticism over her visit to Israel last week. Her visit was not coordinated with the EU member countries and the Commission she leads has no remit under EU treaties to conduct foreign policy. She was also criticized for failing to urge Israel to protect Palestinian civilians.
But her spokesman, Eric Mamer, said that ‘the president can travel wherever she wants.’
‘She went to Israel to express solidarity with the country that had been the subject of an unprovoked terrorist attack. That is entirely in her prerogatives,’ he said.
Mr Varadkar reiterated his view that Israel could not inflict ‘collective punishment’ on the people of Gaza for the actions of Hamas.
‘I want to say once again that Ireland unreservedly condemns the brutal attack by Hamas and other militant groups on Israel and the devastating loss of life that it has caused,’ he said.
‘We also condemn the terrorist attacks that occurred in France last week and Belgium only yesterday.
‘We also demand the release of all hostages without any conditions immediately. Israel has the right to defend itself and to pursue Hamas terrorists who attacked its civilian population, and we accept that right.
‘However, Israel’s response must be exercised within the parameters of international humanitarian law. Even wars have rules. Collective punishment should not be inflicted on the population in Gaza. Citizens must be protected and Gaza must have access to humanitarian aid.
‘There must be the establishment of humanitarian corridors. There’s also a need to prevent the conflict from escalating and spreading to other parts of the region, which is an enormous concern at the moment.’
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