Brussels (AP) – Pro-Palestinian protests are shaking major European cities, increasing calls Prohibits Israel from sports and cultural events. Europe The Navy is deployed to protect activists I’m about to receive assistance to Gaza – and once the waves of the country have done something I can’t imagine It recognized the Palestinian state.
As rage over the humanitarian catastrophe grew, more European leaders were sometimes driven by pressure from their population, openly condemning Israel’s acts of war, and sought to encourage Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to agree to a ceasefire and allow aid.
Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Programmes of Chatham House think tanks, said:
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, one of Israel’s closest EU allies, said last week that he supported European Union sanctions against Israel. It was still her toughest position, following a nationwide strike in Italy and pro-Palestine. Palermo protests against Milan.
At the UN General Assembly in New York, Meloni said: “Israel violated humanitarian norms and caused genocide among civilians.”
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli military campaigns in Gaza have been killed when Hamas-led militants launched air and ground attacks on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages Over 66,000 peopleaccording to the Gaza Ministry of Health. The ministry, part of Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but women and children say they make up about half of it.
The war also destroyed the vast areas of Gaza, Killed 289 journalistsAccording to a committee to protect journalists, it expelled about 90% of Gaza’s population, causing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, including the outbreak of the Hunger in Gaza City.
Pro-Palestinian protests have grown, according to the location and event data project of armed conflicts, or by monitoring conflicts around the world. There were 780 protests across Europe from December to April. Researcher Ciro Murillo said this has grown to 2,066 over the past five months, reaching at least 15 per day.
The protest cut off the entire party and includes members of the large Muslim community in Europe. This is an important voting block in countries such as France and Germany.
Over the past six months, there have been 51 pro-Israel protests in Europe, with about half of which only in Germany. Access data showed that public support for Israel fell sharply several months after the war began.
Speaking at the United Nations two days after Meloni, it seemed Netanyahu would admit his turn.
“Indeed, in the days just after October 7th, many … Israel supported it. But that support quickly evaporated when Israel was subjected to such a savage attack and did what a self-respecting country did,” he told world leaders.
Israel’s deep relationship with Europe
Born in the aftermath of World War II, Israel and the European Union are intricately interwoven.
Almost every Jewish Israelis trace their legacy either to the wider Middle Eastern or European Jewish communities, which placed waste by the Russian Empire pogroms and the German massacre pogroms.
“Israel is from Europe and anyone who doesn’t recognize it or really understands this country,” said Sharon Pardo, a professor at Bengulion University and author of The Anxious Neighbor, a book on Europe-Israel relations.
Strategic utility has driven Israel towards Europe, even if many people considered it a “continent of murderers,” Pardo said. Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben Gurion, began building long-standing economic, political and cultural ties with Europe. Today, the EU is Israel’s top trading partner.
“These were immediate markets for Israeli agriculture, and this was the market for Israeli arms,” Pardo said.
But the embrace by Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister of far-right European political parties, is hostile to European political establishment.
“Israel in Netanyahu is an anti-European Union country and is an euroskeptic who makes every effort to harm the European integration project,” Pardo said.
Israeli criticism rises as the war in Gaza shatters
The shocking violence of October 7, 2023 sparked a pour in support from European leaders.
Visited by EU political director Ursula von Der Leyen Still awful kibbutz A few days later I met Netanyahu. She vowed to support the EU for Israel.
But almost two years later, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saa accused her of “empowering terrorist organizations” along with her. A surprise call to the EU to increase pressure on Israel To stop the war.
Von Der Leyen said in the conflict “there’s been more systematic changes in the past few months that are simply unacceptable,” and “Europe needs to do more.”
She is likely influenced by EU staff who are critical of the growing protests and her policies, said Lisa Musiol, head of EU affairs for the International Crisis Group. She pointed to an open letter criticizing the EU’s Gaza policy, signed by more than 2,000 current EU staff and 390 former European ambassadors and officials.
Von Der Leyen suggested increasing EU tariffs on some Israeli goods and authorizing some Israeli settlers; Two members Netanyahu cabinets. She also sanctions 10 Hamas leaders. EU leaders were to discuss the proposal in Copenhagen on Wednesday.
Major EU measures require unanimity (which is likely not possible in 27 blocs), but some can be passed on population weights. It would require Italy or Germany to join a nation critical of Israel.
I’m looking at Meltz and Meloni
Germany’s support for Israel is second only to the US. However, the ruling German coalition is divided into Gaza, supporting Prime Minister Friedrich Merz’s central right Christian Democratic prime minister and the small Social Democrats who criticize Israel and the war more.
Meltz tells Netanyahu about his growing concern and has Reduced sales of arms to Israelhowever, he said he had not considered sanctions.
Germany’s historical responsibility for the Holocaust has ensured Israel’s security and shaped postwar support to combat anti-Semitism. still, Tens of thousands of protesters took them to the city of Berlin We are seeking an end to the war on Saturday.
Meloni is the most likely to vote. Meloni said he supports joining the recent move by European neighbors to recognize the Palestinian state FranceAndorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, UK and Portugalas well as the federal states of Canada and Australia.
In contrast to Germany, Italy has a different historical relationship with Israel, said Elisabetta Brigi, a professor at Westminster University. Italy was able to switch European efforts to put Israel on pressure on Gaza, with the country’s strong trade unions and strong influences of the Vatican and the Vatican.
“Italians don’t translate the trauma of fascism like Germany,” she said.
Italy joined Spain and sent naval ships to protect a fleet of boats carrying activists seeking Israeli blockade Gaza After activists say so He was attacked by a drone near Greece.
Also, after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez disrupted Spain’s Vruta cycling race last month, Spain’s Pedro Sanchez grew to ban Israel from several sporting and cultural events, saying Israel should be excluded until the end of Gaza’s “wild barrage.” Some countries have threatened to boycott the highly popular Eurovision Song Contest in Israel and Europe if Israel is allowed to compete.
___
The AP writers contributed to the report by Silvia Stellacci, Giada Zampana and Kirsten Griesharbor of Rome in Dusseldorf, Germany.
