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LAST UPDATE | 11 Sep
POLITICIANS IN EUROPE have passed a resolution to “combat famine” in Gaza and work towards a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
The vote came after much debate over the wording of the resolution, which divided MEPs.
Most notably, any mention of genocide was removed.
German MEP Katarina Barley, who was chairing the vote, struggled to control MEPs who made their disapproval of the amendments known in the chamber.
The final version had 305 votes in favour, 151 against, and 122 abstentions. The adoption of the resolution was met with a standing ovation.
It’s a non-binding resolution but a clear signal from MEPs to the Commission that they want to see firmer action.
It signals support for the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which was welcomed by UNRWA, as well as the release of all hostages.
It also seeks to sanction both Hamas and “extremist” Israeli ministers, echoing commitments made by President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen this week.
Fine Gael’s Maria Walsh said the resolution is “sadly overdue” and “falls short of what is needed”.
“It falls short of the leadership Irish people are demanding from the European Parliament, and it falls short of accurately reflecting the brutal humanitarian situation on the ground in Gaza,” she said.
Similarly, Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Cowen said the resolution does “not go as far as I and my Fianna Fáil colleagues would have liked”.
“I will continue to use my influence in Brussels to help build support for the EU to use its influence to secure a ceasefire and lasting peace,” he said.
Finna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews said the resolution is progress but some of his fellow MEPs must “open their eyes to the reality”.
“[The resolution] is not as strong as I would have wanted, but it’s a big step in the right direction,” he wrote on X.
“The EPP were forced to support the text as even their own Commission President shifted position yesterday on Gaza.”
Von der Leyen yesterday made her annual State of the Union address, which included one of her strongest ever statements on Gaza.
She warned Israel that famine “can never be a weapon of war”.
“For the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity, this must stop,” she said.
Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty said her words coupled with today’s resolution mark a “welcome change”.
“Ireland will not waver or water down our stance,” she said.
“We will continue to stand firm, to call genocide what it is, and to demand action and accountability.”
Labour’s Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said today that the EPP, which speerheaded the controversial amendments, has “consistently worked to weaken EU action on this issue”.
Fine Gael MEPs are part of the EPP. However, all four of them voted against the amendment to exclude genocide from the resolution’s wording.
“Fine Gael must ask themselves how they can continue to stand alongside a political family that refuses to confront Israel’s crimes,” Ó Ríordáin said.
On balance, Irish MEPs were pleasantly surprised at von der Leyen’s speech yesterday. However, for some her reluctance to call it genocide only added fuel to the fire.
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion said: “She doesn’t seem to be willing to call out Netanyahu for the war criminal that he is.”
The resolution supports the full suspension of the EU’s trade deal with Israel. Yesterday, von der Leyen only committed to a partial suspension, which angered some MEPS.
Ó Ríordáin called it an “insult” because there “is not partial genocide”.
Teresa Ribera, the European Commission’s executive vice president, last week broke rank, becoming the first top official to use the word genocide to describe Israel’s war on Palestinians.
The resolution passed today says the recognition of the State of Palestine across all member states would pave the way for a two-state solution. Ireland is among 10 EU countries to have already recognised Palestine, and France has committed to doing so some time this month.
Von der Leyen’s recent change of heart may have come too late, as she has her popularity has plummeted.
The far-right Patriots for Europe group and the Left have both gathered enough signatures from MEPs to table a confidence motion over her leadership, which will likely take place soon.
It comes just two months after she survived a different confidence motion. Such votes used to be a rare occurence, but von der Leyen has had a rocky second term as president.
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