Vantage | Why Europe can't make up its mind over Israel-Hamas war

The Israel-Palestine conflict has long been a contentious issue in the international arena and recent developments have once again highlighted the deep divisions within Europe. While China shows support for Palestine, Europe is struggling to find a unified stance due to historical, domestic and economic factors.

China backs Palestine China’s support for Palestine is not surprising considering its stance on various international issues. However, the real intrigue lies within the European Union, which comprises 27 member countries, each with its role in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Achieving consensus is a formidable challenge exacerbated by differing opinions within governments. Spain’s unyielding critic Ione Belarra, a Spanish minister, stands out as a staunch critic of Israel. Even when the Israeli government urged Spain to restrain her rhetoric, Madrid opted to support her. This division within Spain’s leadership reflects the broader European divide on the issue. The division is not exclusive to Spain, it extends across European governments. The UK witnessed a ministerial aide, Paul Bristow, being dismissed for advocating a ceasefire in Gaza. Similarly, Labour MP Andy McDonald faced suspension after speaking at a pro-Palestine rally, exposing divisions within the Labour Party itself. Keir Starmer’s struggle The Labour Party’s leader Keir Starmer remains reluctant to support a ceasefire. However, at least 35 of his senior MPs including 13 shadow ministers openly demand a ceasefire. These internal rifts illustrate the complexity of the situation. European Union’s disunity The European Union is no exception to this disunity. Several European countries have adopted different positions on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Germany and Austria are firm supporters of Israel citing their historical connections and the atrocities that led to Jews being driven out of Europe. On the other side, countries like Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg do not hesitate to criticise Israel. France and the Netherlands occupy a middle ground advocating for a ceasefire while recognizing Israel’s right to self-defence. Division in recent events These divisions were evident at two recent events: the European Union summit and the United Nations General Assembly vote. The EU summit saw Germany opposing the term “ceasefire”. The leaders debated a “humanitarian pause”, but even this brought disagreement over whether it should be singular or plural. This division illustrates the depth of the European schism. The UN General Assembly’s debate on a ceasefire resolution revealed further discord among European countries. Austria, Czechia, Hungary and Croatia opposed the ceasefire while Germany, Poland, Italy and the Netherlands abstained. France, Portugal and Spain supported the ceasefire, but the results underscored the lack of consensus among European powers. Reasons behind the divisions The divisions in Europe’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict can be attributed to various factors: • Domestic support for Palestine: Protests in European capitals have swayed leaders who are sensitive to public opinion and election outcomes. • Focus on Ukraine: The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has diverted European countries’ attention and resources leaving little appetite for another international conflict. • Fears of radicalism: Europe is on high alert due to concerns about lone wolf attacks by radical Islamists and a surge in antisemitism. A wider war could exacerbate these issues. • Economic implications: Europe’s reliance on energy imports from the Middle East, particularly oil, makes it economically vulnerable to a spillover of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Experts warn of a potential European recession this year. Europe’s divided stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict reflects a complex web of historical, domestic and economic factors. These divisions hinder the European Union’s ability to present a unified front on the issue leaving each member state to navigate the delicate balance between past grievances and contemporary concerns. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.