EU ministers face divisions over Gaza at Copenhagen meeting

European Union foreign ministers are set to face divisions over the war in Gaza on Saturday after the bloc’s humanitarian aid chief urged them to find “a strong voice that reflects our values and principles.”

Ministers from the EU’s 27 member states will discuss the Israeli war in Gaza, which began after a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, at a meeting in the Danish capital, Copenhagen.

Many European governments have sharply criticised Israel’s conduct in the war, particularly over civilian deaths and restrictions on humanitarian supplies, according to Reuters.

Condemnation intensified after the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global hunger monitoring body, said last week it had concluded there is famine in Gaza — a finding Israel has rejected.

But EU members are divided over a joint response, with some calling for economic measures to pressure Israel while others have stressed the need to continue dialogue.

Last month the European Commission proposed restricting Israel’s access to the EU research funding programme, but the proposal has not yet secured sufficient support from member states to be implemented.

Diplomats said countries such as France, the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland had expressed support for the proposal, while others, including Germany and Italy, have not backed it so far.

EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Haja Lahbib said: “The time has come for the European Union to find a collective voice on Gaza.”

Speaking to reporters in Brussels this week, Lahbib declined to specify which measures she thought should be taken, but said she wanted increased pressure on Israel.

“What is happening there (in Gaza) troubles me, and it should trouble us all. This is a tragedy, and history will hold us to account,” she added.

Israel rejects criticism of its conduct in the war, saying its military action is necessary to defeat Hamas. Ministers are expected to voice their views at the Copenhagen meeting, but are not expected to reach any decisions.

Ministers are also expected to discuss the war in Ukraine and the future of Russian assets frozen in the EU under sanctions on Moscow, valued at about 210 billion euros (245.85 billion dollars).