One year since the October 7 attacks, the European Union finds itself facing the question of whether it is impotent in the escalation of violence in the Middle East. Israel suffered its worst ever terrorist attack, resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 Israelis and the hostage-taking of more than 250 individuals by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups. In response, Israel launched devastating attacks on Gaza, leading to the displacement of most of the population and the tragic deaths of over 41,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities.
Simultaneously, Lebanon has been caught in the crossfire of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with Israel targeting and dismantling the Hezbollah leadership. In retaliation, Iran launched a massive missile strike against Israel, further exacerbating the already tense situation in the region.
The EU has acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defense while cautioning against a potential uncontrollable regional escalation. However, beyond issuing statements and providing financial or humanitarian aid, questions arise about the effectiveness of the EU in truly influencing and resolving the conflict in the Middle East.
In a discussion with two Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), the limitations and challenges faced by the EU in addressing the escalating violence in the Middle East were raised. The need for concrete action and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and promote peace in the region was emphasized.
As the conflict continues to unfold, the role of the EU in the Middle East remains under scrutiny, with calls for more proactive and decisive measures to address the root causes of the violence and work towards sustainable peace and stability in the region.
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Video “One year since October 7 attacks: Is the EU impotent in Middle East escalation? • FRANCE 24” was uploaded on 10/04/2024 to Youtube Channel FRANCE 24 English