The BIC Reacts to the European Council's Call for a Humanitarian Pause in Gaza: A Step Forward but Not Enough

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Position: RESEARCH TEAM
on Mon, 03/25/2024 - 15:20

The Brussels International Center (BIC) acknowledges and welcomes  the European Council's recent initiative calling for a humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza as a step in the right direction. However, this action, while commendable for its intentions, significantly falls short of what is immediately necessary to bring about a real and lasting peace in the region. The call comes across as belated, barely scratching the surface of the deeper, more systemic changes required to address the ongoing crisis.

In Times of Conflict Escalation: How to Overcome Growing Polarisation between the Gulf Region and Europe?

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Position: RESEARCH TEAM on Wed, 03/20/2024 - 11:49

“Demonising the other”: The Gaza war as a driver for polarisation between the Gulf and Europe.

In recent months, relations between the Arab world and Europe have faced challenges as a consequence of the Israel-Gaza war, which has resulted in more than 30,000 Palestinian casualties following the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7th, 2023.

BIC Reacts to the Launch of the European Defence Industry Programme: A Strategic Leap Towards EU Strategic Autonomy?

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Position: RESEARCH TEAM
on Tue, 03/05/2024 - 14:37

The launch of the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) marks a pivotal moment in the EU's journey towards strategic autonomy, underlining a significant shift in how Europe perceives and approaches its defence capabilities and industrial base.

BIC Reacts to Escalating Violence and Civilian Casualties in Rafah, Gaza

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Position: RESEARCH TEAM
on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 11:25

The Brussels International Center (BIC) expresses its profound concern over the escalating violence in Rafah, Gaza’s south, where Israel's intensifying military operations have led to significant civilian casualties and widespread panic. The recent Israeli strikes have tragically led to the loss of civilian lives, and left dozens injured, as reported by Dr. Marwan al-Hams from the Abu Youssef al-Najjar Hospital.

A Ceasefire in Gaza and the Day After

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Position: RESEARCH TEAM on Wed, 01/17/2024 - 20:14

An OP ED by Ambassador Marc Otte, BIC President, and EU’s Former Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process.

Almost two months after the glimmer of hope cast by the November 24th truce in Gaza, a tentative first step to quell hostilities, has been swiftly extinguished. In a distressing turn, the ceasefire proved unsustainable, lasting a mere week.

Open Letter for Ceasefire in Gaza

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Position: RESEARCH TEAM
on Mon, 11/20/2023 - 16:52
The Brussels International Center, under the leadership of Ambassador Otte, former EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process, is spearheading a campaign calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel.
We invite interested organisations to add their voice to the following letter, encouraging

BIC Launches Campaign for Ceasefire in Gaza with Support from Members of the European Parliament

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Position: RESEARCH TEAM
on Fri, 11/17/2023 - 09:26

BRUSSELS, [17/11/2023] – The Brussels International Center (BIC), under the leadership of  Amb. Marc Otte, BIC President and Former EU Representative for the Middle East Peace Process, is launching a campaign for a ceasefire in Gaza, in collaboration with Members of the European Parliament. This initiative comes at a crucial time, marked by an unprecedented number of civilian casualties and widespread infrastructure destruction in the Gaza strip.