EU criticises Israel: “Attack on aid workers is appalling”

Brussels – No excuses: Israel must respect international law and avoid incidents such as those that occurred to the seven workers of the American NGO World Central Kitchen, who were killed by Israeli raids while  distributing basic necessities. The European Union does not stand for this, and the reaction of condemnation and distancing comes from many quarters. The High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and Crisis Commissioner Janez Lenarcic speak for the EU Commission. What happened “is appalling,” they argue in a joint statement in which they call Israel to order, which is legal and international.

The two members of the College of Commissioners reminded that Resolution 2728 of the UN Security Council called for “an immediate ceasefire leading to a sustainable and lasting ceasefire. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) also ordered provisional measures which are binding for the Parties. The EU expects their full, immediate and effective implementation.” Hence, the memo that sounds like an implicit accusation of violating rules that apply to everyone.”We recall the Israeli obligation under International Humanitarian Law to protect humanitarian workers at all times.” This is not happening, since, Borrell and Lenarcic accuse, “a high number of humanitarian workers have lost their lives since the beginning of the war in Gaza.“

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, is not different in tone and exhortations. “We are horrified by the deaths of aid workers” in Gaza, she publicly acknowledges. And, again publicly, “on behalf of the parliament, I have called for an impartial investigation into the deaths of aid workers.” A request that matches that made by the EU executive, which demands the investigation be “thorough” to shed full light on what happened.