Four EU countries want to recognize the Palestinian state

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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez

Photo: Olivier Hoslet / EPA

Alexander de Croo said on Friday morning that he was “very happy” with the EU summit’s declaration on Gaza. Not only were they demanding "that the violence stop, and immediately," explained the Belgian Prime Minister. The long internal EU dispute over the correct choice of words has also been ended. "We finally have a uniform position for all 27 EU states," said de Croo.

But the agreement, which was only published on Friday night, was already over for a few hours when Spain, Ireland, Malta and Slovenia published their own declarations. It not only contains sharper language than in the summit communiqué agreed upon jointly with the other EU states - but also the announcement that steps will be taken towards recognizing a Palestinian state "if this can make a positive contribution and the circumstances are right." are".

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez went further in front of journalists. He expects recognition of a Palestinian state during Spain's four-year legislative period, which began last year. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on the other hand, was much more reserved. The Palestinians need to be given perspective, said Scholz after the summit. "And that can only exist in a two-state solution." It must "become visible now."

The final declaration of the EU summit is already much sharper in its choice of words than previous declarations. They say they are “horrified” by the unprecedented loss of life among the civilian population and the critical humanitarian situation. Leaders call for an immediate humanitarian pause. This should lead to a sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian aid.

The EU heads of state and government criticize that the “catastrophic humanitarian situation” in the Gaza Strip is “caused by the insufficient supply of aid to the Gaza Strip.” Belgian Prime Minister de Croo blamed the Israeli government for this situation. "The people of Gaza are suffering, and it is Israel's responsibility to prevent that," he said. De Croo indirectly accused Israel of war crimes. »If you make humanitarian access more difficult, you are organizing a famine. Organizing a famine should never be used as a weapon of war. This is completely unacceptable.”

The European Council is also calling for an “immediate end to the violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem” by extremist Israeli settlers. "Perpetrators must be held accountable." The EU heads of state and government also call on the responsible Council of Ministers to "accelerate" work on sanctions against settlers and condemn the Israeli government's decisions to "expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank." .

In their declaration, Spain, Ireland, Malta and Slovenia go well beyond the words of the heads of state and government. Instead of a “humanitarian pause,” they are calling for an “immediate ceasefire.” They also make no mention of the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7th, which is a break with the previous EU language regulations and should also be noted carefully in Israel.