Several European voices gives mixed approaches towards supporting Israel in its war against Hamas
With the emergence of unified voices in the European Union countries that unanimously agreed in their full support for Israel, after the Hamas movement launched operation al Aqsa flood, some timid European voices came out, trying to hold the stick from the middle.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said that international solidarity with Israel would dissipate if it went too far in its response to recent attacks by Hamas.
Varadkar told Irish Radio and Television (RTA) that Israel had the right to defend itself from enemies but that any response must be proportionate.
Varadkar added, “From Ireland’s point of view, we say to Israel, yes, you have the right to defend yourself… You are surrounded by enemies who want to end your existence, but any response must be proportionate”.
He continued, “There is a lot of international solidarity with Israel at this moment… I believe that this will collapse if Israel persists in its actions in Gaza”.
“There is a risk of violence erupting in the West Bank, Lebanon and other places… Therefore, we strongly call for restraint,” he said.
On the same context, the head of the German Bundestag Defense Affairs Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, said that Israel doesn’t need military aid from Germany to confront Hamas.
The politician who belongs to the Free Democratic Party added in a press statements that, “Israel doesn’t need military support from us… Israel needs our solidarity and support in international bodies”.
On the other hand, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that the humanitarian support provided by the European Union to the Palestinian people isn’t in question, but the bloc must review its financial aid.
“Our humanitarian support for the Palestinian people is not in question, however, it’s important that we carefully review our financial aid to Palestine,” she said.
Von der Leyen added, “EU funding has never and will never go to Hamas or any terrorist entity… Therefore, we will review the entire file again now in light of developments in the situation on the ground”.
