"EU Faces Internal Divisions on Gaza Response Amid Growing Protests"

Mon Oct 20 2025 06:42:55 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Protests in Brussels demand EU leaders take stronger action on Israel, but member states remain divided on the response to the Gaza crisis.

Despite a report indicating possible violations of human rights by Israel, the EU finds itself struggling to take a unified stance on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, facing pushback from several member states as protesters call for action.

In Brussels, outside EU buildings, protesters waving Palestinian flags expressed hope for change as a new report highlighted possible breaches of human rights obligations by Israel under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. With the EU being Israel's largest trading partner, demonstrators called for the suspension of the 25-year-old trade deal due to escalating violence in Gaza. However, their aspirations were met with disappointment as divisions among the EU member states thwarted any unified decision.

Oxfam representative Agnes Bertrand-Sanz lamented the dire situation in Gaza, noting that “every red line has been crossed.” Recent reports indicate more than 55,000 Gazans have died due to military operations by Israel, while nearly two million have been displaced. Following intense international pressure, Israel allowed a partial easing of the blockade on humanitarian aid, but the UN reports continued fatalities among Palestinians attempting to secure food supplies.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas mentioned that the Union's immediate goal is to "change the situation" in Gaza before considering "further measures" next month. Critics argue that the EU has squandered an opportunity to assert itself, giving rise to questions about its effectiveness as a leading humanitarian donor.

During this contentious debate, the Israeli foreign ministry dismissed the report as a "complete moral and methodological failure." Human rights activists criticized the EU for failing to pressure Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law, particularly with potential war crimes being committed.

Member states with differing political views contribute to the EU's indecision, resulting in significant factions. Key nations like Germany, Austria, and Hungary oppose a stronger stance, while others including Ireland and Spain advocate for concrete actions against Israeli policies.

Austria's Foreign Affairs Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger described suspending the EU treaty as unhelpful, cautioning that it may worsen dialogue with Israel. Meanwhile, Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris condemned the EU's sluggish response, saying, “too many people have been left to die.”

As the EU grapples with its internal rifts and the overshadowing influence of the US, it struggles to formulate a consistent voice on the Gaza crisis, making international advocacy for the region all the more challenging.