EU Leaders’ Summit Calls for De-Escalation in the Middle East
A recent summit of European Union leaders held in Brussels on Thursday marked the first gathering since Israel intensified its military operations in southern Lebanon. The discussions concluded with multiple calls for de-escalation in the Middle East, the urgent release of Israeli hostages detained in Gaza, and a strong condemnation of Israel’s recent attacks on UN peacekeepers.
According to diplomatic sources, the previously divergent views among EU leaders regarding Israel’s military actions have begun to align, particularly following Israel’s expanded offensive targeting the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which includes personnel from 16 EU nations. An EU official closely involved in the discussions noted, “The attitude of Israel is becoming less and less acceptable to EU leaders in the room.”
As the summit progressed, it became apparent that the stances on Israel’s military operations, which were once sharply polarized, are now converging. A diplomatic source from a northern EU country remarked, “We are seeing that positions on Israel’s operation are narrowing, or converging.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose government is recognized as one of the staunchest advocates for Palestinian rights, expressed to reporters a growing consensus among leaders. He stated, “Yes, I sense, I see that those countries that have been most vocal in defending Israel are finding increasing difficulties in defending Israeli actions and the government of Benjamin Netanyahu.”
In a significant collaborative effort, Sánchez and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has often differed with Sánchez on the conflict ignited by Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7th, took the initiative to jointly draft the final statement on the Middle East for the 27 leaders. This collaboration signals a growing willingness to bridge the gaps that have historically divided EU leaders.
This shift in perspective is largely attributed to recent reports indicating that Israeli forces have been targeting UNIFIL peacekeeping troops. The mission, established by the United Nations Security Council in 1978, aims to restore peace and security in southern Lebanon, particularly along the border with Israel, an area known as the Blue Line. In response to the situation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Hezbollah is using UNIFIL troops as a “human shield.” He has also intensified his demands for the withdrawal of peacekeeping forces from southern Lebanon.
In the conclusions adopted late Thursday, EU leaders countered Netanyahu’s call, asserting: “The European Council supports the fundamental stabilisation role of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon, and calls on all parties to protect and support UNIFIL’s important mission.”
Support for Trade Restrictions Remains Limited
Despite the emerging consensus on certain issues, there remains a lack of majority support among EU leaders for using the bloc’s economic leverage to apply diplomatic pressure on Netanyahu’s administration. Both Ireland and Spain have united in urging the European Commission to reconvene its trade discussions with Israel through an Association Council, a platform that facilitates dialogue about their bilateral relations.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, previously invited Israel to an Association Council meeting in early June to evaluate the nation’s adherence to human rights obligations, as stipulated in Article 2 of the trade agreement, which links arrangements to “respect for human rights and democratic principles.”
Sources indicate that Israel has agreed in principle to engage in discussions regarding the Association Agreement, but with the stipulation that the talks will not address the current situation in Gaza.
Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris informed reporters on Wednesday that his government is seeking fresh legal advice from the attorney general, which could pave the way for reinstating a 2018 bill aimed at prohibiting trade between Ireland and Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. This move would enable Ireland to unilaterally impose trade restrictions. Belgium and Spain have signaled their support for the Irish initiative but have yet to commit to acting without backing from the EU.