European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Further Urged a Partial Suspension of the Association Agreement With Israel in Her Annual Address On Wednesday. She is Seeking Support from the Member States of the European Union for this.
Von der Leyen Focused Largely On The War in Gaza in Her Speech, in which the European Commission President Annually DEScribes the State of the European Union and the Course for the Coming Year.
The European Commission Wants To Stop Bilateral Support to Israel and Impose Sanctions on “Extreme Ministers and Violent Settlers.” In Addition, Von der Leyen Wants Trade Agreements with Israel to Be Suspended. The Eu Has Been Divided over Israel for some Time.
“I know it will be difficult to find a majority. And I know that any action will be too much for some,” Said von der Leyen. “We must overcome this. We cannot afford to be paralyzed.” Accordance to the eu chief, what is happening in Gaza is unacceptable.
An EU Investigation in June Showed Indications That Israel is Violating article 2 of the Association Agreement with the EU in Gaza. That article groups the obligation to respect human rights. Restricting or suspending the treaty could significantly affect Israel. The EU is the Country’s Largest Trading Partner: 32 percent of Israeli Exports Went to the EU Last Year.
Von der Leyen also reiterated in her speech that all hostages must be released and that humanitarian aid must have unlimited access to gaza. She Said That Peace is only Possible “If It Is Based On Two States”, With “A Safe Israel, A Viable Palestinian Authority and the Disappearance of the Plague Hamas”.
There was some shouting from the hall when von der Leyen said that European democracy is under attack. This came mainly from the far-right parties in the European Parliament. A Member of the European Parliament Received a Final Warning from the Chairman. “If you shout again, you must leave the room.”
Von der Leyen Said She wanted to Establish a European Center for “The Resilience of Democracy”. “This is Exactly what this side is afraid of,” she said, pointing to the side of the hall where the far-right parties are sitting. That earned her applause from the rest of the room.
Meps on the Left Flank of Parliament worse Red in Support of Gaza. On the far right flank of parliament, some of the seats remained empty from the start of the speech.