Israel-Iran war breaks out in the European Parliament, chamber changes agenda

From the correspondent in Strasbourg – Taking stock of a situation in the Middle East that appears to be completely out of control: The attack of Israel against Iran has not left the European Parliament indifferent, with the main groups—Popular (EPP), Socialist (S&D) and Liberal (Re)—demanding and obtaining a change to the agenda for a debate on the issue. The Israel-Iran clash is scheduled for the afternoon of Tuesday, June 17, immediately after the planned debate on new rules for passenger refunds in the event of air delays.

The change in the work agenda does not come without tension. From the ranks of the Left comes the critical voice of Marc Botenga, who calls for a resolution to be added to the debate with a vote. “Israel’s is an illegal, criminal, and dangerous act,” attacks the Belgian. “You cannot attack another country” militarily, “this is against the law,” he punctuates in the House. And then, he explains, the attack conducted by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government “is criminal because children died” as a result of the operations. Thirdly, Botenga continues, “a nuclear power plant was attacked” (the one in Natanz, ed), which makes it “dangerous”.

The MEP raises a theme, that of rights and principles, and their universality. He offers a topical parallelism, comparing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine with the growing and escalating tensions in the Middle East: “When Russia attacked Ukraine, we condemned, while now the President of the European Commission has not condemned,” Botenga punctuates, turning the spotlight on the issue of double standards.

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There is also the danger of the underlying principle. In saying that one cannot attack militarily by placing oneself above the rules, Botenga warns that if the principle is imposed at that point, anyone can attack anyone, since everyone, in the eye of the other, can pose a threat. “We cannot continue to support illegal actions that go against international law,” Botenga insists.

Also from the Left benches, French Rima Hassan condemns Netanyahu and his government for blocking the Freedom Flotilla ship in international waters and stopping humanitarian aid to Gaza. “The action was illegal and there was no condemnation,” denounces the MEP, who points the finger at the European Parliament: “The silence of the European Parliament goes against the credibility of the institution,” she scolds, taking the roaring applause of her entire group. The President of the EU Parliament, Roberta Metsola, had to intervene to restore order and silence in the Chamber, where Hassan stepped up his dose, publicly accusing Israel of “genocide and famine” in the Strip.

Hassan’s intervention finds the prompt response of Jordan Bardella (RN/PfE): “This intervention shows what she is: not an MEP but an ambassador of Hamas”, the Eurosceptic’s attack. Israel, therefore, not only bursts onto the agenda of the plenary session but also divides the Chamber and warns the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, who is expected to discuss the issue. The climate, even in Strasbourg, is not the most relaxed.