Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, has been the most forceful in urging Israel to stop. She called on the nation to abandon its plans to storm into Gaza City and seize control. Her call comes as tensions continue to escalate and the global community’s outcry grows over the region’s near-catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Von der Leyen highlighted the fact that humanitarian relief should immediately and unconditionally be allowed to enter Gaza. She then amplified the urgent concerns of the Palestinian people.
The announcement, which was made on social media, represents the first time the European Union has taken such a position regarding the ongoing conflict. Von der Leyen said, “The Israeli government should reconsider its decision to continue prolonging its military operation in Gaza. At a minimum, there needs to be the immediate release of all hostages, who continue to suffer in inhumane conditions. Humanitarian aid requires immediate and unhindered access to all of Gaza. This access is key to providing the life-saving supplies that those on the ground so urgently need. A ceasefire is needed now.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has even suggested a radical break with Berlin’s decades’ support for Israel. Germany’s special security relationship with Israel is a unique aspect of its history. This bond is critical to Germany’s national identity, grounded in Germany’s historical responsibility for the Holocaust. Yet, Merz responded with a blistering missive that marked an abrupt course correction on this policy binge.
In response to the ongoing violence, Merz announced that Germany will not approve any exports of military equipment that could potentially be used in the Gaza Strip. He reiterated the importance of allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza, stating, “We must continue to fully and sustainably improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.”
This decision is indicative of a growing public mood within Germany about its special foreign policy orientation towards Israel. A new poll by the Forsa opinion research institute shows a little-noticed but startling sentiment. Almost three-quarters of the people polled think Berlin needs to put more pressure on the Israeli government. The German parliament adopted export licenses to military equipment to Israel. These licenses are worth €485 million and run from October 7, 2023 through May 13, 2025.
The international community has voiced strong concerns regarding Israel’s military operations in Gaza. On 22 October, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated Israel’s actions in the conflict were “wrong.” His conclusion was these moves aren’t going to stop the fight or facilitate the return of the hostages, but rather only bring more carnage.
António Costa, prime minister of Portugal and president of the European Council, cautioned that Israel’s planned new ground offensive would have “serious consequences” for EU-Israel relations. The impact of these military operations are hard to ignore as humanitarian conditions worsen from the unprovoked aggression. António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, stated that the ongoing conflict is “deepening the already catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians.”
The tides of international support and condemnation for Israel’s ongoing military incursions upon Gaza are swiftly shifting. Today is a pivotal time in global diplomacy. Countries and organizations that once stood firmly behind Israel are now reassessing their positions in light of humanitarian concerns and international law.
With rapid developments underway in their wake on the national and international stage, it’s an evolving situation. International leaders are joining the chorus for a ceasefire and immediate, unconditional humanitarian access. They recognize that the U.S. military escalation will only lead to more devastation.