After a week of confrontation between Israel and Palestinian Factions, essentially Hamas, 182 people (including 41 children) have been killed and almost 1.100 wounded in the Gaza enclave and 10 people have been killed in Israel. Despite efforts by outsiders, mainly Egypt, no real perspective of a truce is in order so far. The IDF is pushing for more military action. The destruction by Israel of a building hosting the offices of several international press agencies has sparked outrage (Israel claims the building was hosting Hamas operatives). Many Gazans have lost their homes and medical facilities are overwhelmed. Egypt has opened its border with Gaza to allow evacuation of the wounded. Foreign nationals could also be allowed to leave under the supervision of the IOM.
Across the world, including in Europe, people have gone to the streets to protest against Israeli actions. Arab civil societies are expressing their anger and protest against the lack of stronger reactions by their governments and the international community.
The current conflict, most serious between Israel and the Palestinian armed groups of Gaza since 2014, erupted in Jerusalem with the confrontation between Jewish extreme nationalist groups and Palestinian worshippers, followed by repression by Israeli police. Violent confrontations between Arabs and Jews then spread in mixed Israeli cities, taking the shape of a civil war. Both sides have undoubtedly committed war crimes.
For all the noises of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict having entered a long slumber, this new episode of violent confrontation is a proof that a slow fire continued to burn under the ashes, waiting to erupt at the next opportunity. International players have to take their responsibility to force a truce and resume the efforts towards a negotiated solution according to international law including relevant UN resolutions. It’s a matter of self-interest as much as the interest of local populations.
President Biden spoke to Israeli PM Netanyahu and President Abbas on Saturday updating them on recent diplomatic efforts. The US envoy in charge of the Israeli Palestinian file, Hady Amr, has been sent to the region, following a long waiting period by the administration to get involved, including its refusal to allow a UNSC agreed statement. Another one took place this Sunday may 16 but once again without agreement on a statement, despite severe warnings from the UNSG and the UN envoy for the MEPP. The US President is now under pressure from members of his party to take a more proactive role.
Russia has called for a ministerial meeting of the Quartet, so far without clear responses from their partners.
Arab countries which have normalized their relations with Israel under the Abraham accords are in a delicate position and under strong pressure from their public opinions.
Then there is the question of those countries that support the Palestinian Factions and provide them with weapons and financial means. Getting them into the equation will require appropriate diplomacy in the context of a long lasting solution. Missiles have been fired to Israel from Lebanon and Syria.
As far as Europeans are concerned, they have issued various statements, all calling for de-escalation and respect for civilian lives. But they are of various contents, not aligned when it comes to the matter of responsibilities of the opposite sides. As long as they maintain their no-contact policy with Palestinian armed groups and are reluctant to varying degrees to apply leverage vis-à-vis Israel there is little they can do through diplomatic engagement. This has to change. European cohesion and strategic vision have to be put together. Leadership is of the essence.
The European Parliament will hold a plenary session with HRVP statement on Tuesday 18 May.