Foreign ministers of European Union (EU) countries are deeply divided over the war in Gaza, with some calling on Brussels to exert strong economic pressure on Israel, while others make it clear that they are not ready to go that far, said the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
“We are divided on this issue. If you do not have a unified position on this topic, we have no voice on the global stage. So, that is definitely very problematic,” said Kallas upon arriving at the ministerial meeting in Copenhagen.
She added that she is “not particularly optimistic” that the ministers could even agree on a milder proposal to restrict Israel’s access to the EU program for research funding.
Many EU members have criticized the way Israel is conducting the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, especially because of civilian deaths and restrictions on humanitarian aid.
However, there is no agreement on strong political or economic actions by the EU.
Members, including Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands, have called for the suspension of the EU free trade agreement with Israel, but Israel’s traditional allies, such as Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, have rejected such steps.
