Brussels – For the first time since she has sat at the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas tries to raise her voice on Israeli atrocities in Gaza. And she does so after – only a few days ago – the European Council failed even to deliver a condemnation for the resumption of bombings on civilians that decreed the end of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. From Jerusalem, the EU High Representative stresses “the dangerous escalation” that is causing “unbearable uncertainty for the hostages” and “horror and death for the Palestinian people.”
In recent months, Kallas has seemed almost disinterested in the Middle East conflict in the face of developments in Ukraine. She has kept a low profile, often coming out late and cautiously, choosing not to criticize the Israeli ally openly. She chaired a controversial EU-Israel Association Council, where the issue of human rights violations in Gaza took a back seat to what some member states and Kallas’ predecessor himself, Josep Borrell, had called for. Now, in the face of the failed 40 billion personal initiative for Ukraine – rejected by member states – and the plummeting situation in Gaza – where Palestinian casualties in 18 months of conflict have reportedly touched 50,000 – Kallas has embarked on a delicate visit to Egypt, Israel, and the West Bank in an attempt to revive her and the EU’s credibility.
Last night (March 23) in Cairo, on the sidelines of a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, the High Representative stated that the EU “strongly opposes Israel’s resumption of hostilities, which has caused appalling loss of life in Gaza.” Promising Brussels will “use the tools at its disposal” to pressure Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Today — in a joint press conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar at which she appeared at times embarrassed — Kallas reiterated “that resuming negotiations is the only feasible way to end the suffering on both sides” because “violence breeds more violence.”
On the other side, however, there is always the rubber wall of Israel’s far-right government. Sa’ar, who, a few months ago, replaced Israel Katz, now finance minister, who a few days ago threatened the Palestinian population with collective punishment, declared that it is natural for Israel “to expect more support from Europe.” He accused Hamas of twice rejecting the US proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire – which would have provided for the release of Israeli hostages but without the withdrawal of Tel Aviv troops from Gaza – and, above all, asserted that “Israel is acting in accordance with international law,” in defiance of dozens of reports by UN agencies, human rights organizations, and international media.
EDITORS NOTE: Victims of Israeli bombings in the north of Gaza, 20/03/25 (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
Sa’ar recalled that during the six-week ceasefire, Israel “allowed 25,000 trucks of humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.” However, the last one entered more than twenty days ago, and doctors and aid workers on the ground warn that malnutrition is again spreading in the battered Palestinian enclave. The Israeli minister cited Article 23 of the Fourth Geneva Convention for the Protection of Civilians in Times of War, which states the obligation to grant free passage of aid exists when “the Contracting Party is satisfied that it has no serious reason to fear that the consignments may be diverted from their destination (…) or that the enemy may take obvious advantage of them for his military efforts or his economy.”
“Hamas uses aid to fund its operations and restore its capabilities,” the minister continued. Responding to a question about the possible deployment of Israeli forces to distribute the aid, he said, “When we renew the aid grant, we will have to make sure that this is done differently.”
In short, Israel continues to be in the right and “is fighting the battle of the free world” against “Iran, the Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah.” A war “against Western civilization,” the minister insisted. Thus, the embarrassment of Kallas, whose words clearly have no value to “the very important trade and investment partner.” The High Representative reminded that “Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorist attacks, but military actions must be proportionate.” Not only in Gaza but also “Israeli attacks in Syria and Lebanon risk further escalation.” In particular, raids on Syrian military capabilities and alleged Hezbollah cells in Damascus “are unnecessary actions because Syria is not attacking Israel, and this will only fuel radicalization.”
In the afternoon, the High Representative is expected in Ramallah, where she will meet with Abu Mazen, president of the Palestinian Authority, and Mohammad Mustafa, Palestinian prime minister and foreign minister.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
