Are divisions in the EU deepening over Israel?

As the tensions in West Asia continue to escalate, a major division has emerged over how the European Union should respond to Israel’s war in Gaza and its ongoing conflict with Iran. The decision became more apparent after the regional body released a report which suggested that Israel was breaching human rights obligations in the Gaza war.

The document obtained by Reuters stated that Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the West Bank was a “moral and methodological failure.” The review report was sent to the EU officials ahead of a foreign minister’s meeting on Monday. Soon after it was released, Israel slammed the report, noting that it had failed to consider Israel’s challenges and was based on inaccurate information.

“The Foreign Ministry of the State of Israel rejects the document … and finds it to be a complete moral and methodological failure,” they said in a statement, adding that it should be dismissed entirely. The European Union have remained largely divided over Israel’s conduct in West Asia.

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While countries like the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and Sweden push for punitive action, others notably Germany, Hungary and Austria resist citing strategic ties, historical responsibilities and political caution. The division is becoming more severe over how the bloc is reacting to Israel’s operation in Iran.

On Gaza

Earlier this year, the European Commission launched an investigation into whether Israel may have breached its human rights obligations under the association agreement after a majority of EU countries called for a review of Israeli conduct amid the humanitarian crisis. The findings of the report turned out to be one of the most contentious foreign policy decisions facing the EU.

The body is also concerned after US President Donald Trump decided to drag the United States into the conflict by striking Iran's three nuclear facilities . On Monday, the findings of the report will be presented by Kaja Kallas, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs to the ministers from EU governments.

The bloc will then decide what steps can be taken over the matter. According to Politico, potential actions range from “doing nothing” to limiting trade with Israel and even suspending the entire agreement. However, that would require a unanimous agreement from the bloc’s 27 countries, which is quite unlikely to happen.

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On Iran

Not all EU nations believe that Israel’s attack on Iran is legal under international law. Last week, the regional bloc issued a statement calling “on all sides to abide by international law, show restraint and refrain from taking further steps which could lead to serious consequences such as potential radioactive release," Euro News reported.

One of the major points of contention was whether in the statement the EU should state “Israel has a right to defend itself” in the context of its attacks against Iran. Around 15 member states including Austria, Czechia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy and the Netherlands wanted to add the line but it was not agreed unanimously.

Meanwhile, other countries noted that it wasn’t sufficiently mentioned that Israel has the right under international law to launch its offensive against Iran. It is pertinent to note that According to international law, and the UN Charter, a state may exercise its right to self-defence in case of an armed attack or imminent attack. Any necessary action should also be proportionate. Hence, it remains unclear whether Europe would ever be united on the question of Israel.