NST Leader: Of Gaza genocide and EU inaction

A sizable number of countries are beginning to respond to Israel’s slaughter of the Palestinians in Gaza and settler atrocities in the West Bank by taking concrete actions. But notably missing is a meaningful response from the European Union, a bloc proud of its human rights history.

The deafening silence has forced 58 former ambassadors of the bloc to issue an open letter to the heads of the EU and member states, warning them that the lack of meaningful response is making it complicit in Israel’s “genocide”.

“Silence and neutrality in the face of genocide constitute complicity. Inaction emboldens perpetrators and betrays every principle the Union and members claim to uphold.” Something has stirred in this rare breed of souls and we think it is the daily genocide livestreamed to their smartphones. Rare breed given the West’s habit of denying Israel’s genocide.

The open letter published by Al Jazeera on July 31 has been a global media story since an earlier version, signed by 34 former ambassadors, was published on July 23 by EUobserver, a news portal. The plea for the EU to do the right thing now is a developing story, as the growing number of signatories suggests.

We are not surprised that so many ex-diplomats feel let down by the EU. As the 58 make it clear in the letter, “as former ambassadors of the EU, we dedicated our professional lives to upholding and promoting core European values and international law, building the reputation of the European Union and defending the rights of its peoples”. Those interests and reputation, they go on to say, “are now in serious jeopardy as a consequence of EU inaction”.

Washington’s position is clear: Israel can do no wrong, even when its military commits the crime of crimes. Its iron-clad support for the Zionist regime means it has given Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, and his extremist ministers, a free hand in committing all the genocide they want. When the United Nations Security Council members agree to a ceasefire — a rare feat indeed — Washington vetoes the resolution. Countries are condemned for criticising Israel.

The International Court of Justice, the world’s highest court, didn’t fare any better. When it ruled that there was “a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza” and countries should stop supplying weapons to Israel, Washington dismissed the court’s determination as not binding. The fate of the International Criminal Court was even worse; its officials were sanctioned for issuing arrest warrants against alleged war criminals Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, a former defence minister.

But Brussels? Why the inaction, when it occasionally condemns Israel? Pretext for inaction? Some EU leaders seem to suggest a lack of consensus among the 27 member states as a reason for inaction. Even if this is true, why can’t they act as individual states? The recent condemnation of Israel by 20 EU foreign ministers shows member states can, if they have the political will.

The ex-diplomats have recommended a nine-point action plan, two of which are for the EU to immediately stop the supply of arms to Israel and recognise Palestinian statehood. If Brussels wants to stand on the right side of history, it must act now on the nine recommendations.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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