PARIS: One of the European Union’s most senior officials on Thursday called the war in Gaza a “genocide,” ramping up criticism of Israel and slamming the 27-nation bloc for failing to act to stop it.
“The genocide in Gaza exposes Europe’s failure to act and speak with one voice,” European Commission vice president Teresa Ribera said during a speech in Paris.
Top EU officials have so far shied away from calling Israel’s actions in the territory a “genocide.” One spokesman said it was for the courts to make a legal judgment on whether genocide was happening.
The EU has struggled to take steps over the war in Gaza due to deep divisions between member states pushing for action against Israel and those backing the country.
The splits are also present inside the EU’s executive, where Spanish commissioner Ribera has expressed frustration over the failure to push on the issue.
Ribera’s use of the term “genocide” could put more pressure on EU commission chief Ursula von der Leyen to take a tougher stance against Israel.
Von der Leyen’s commission in July proposed cutting funding to Israeli start-ups over the war in Gaza, but so far the move has not received the backing of a majority of countries.
Nearly two years into the devastating conflict, Israel has built up its forces in recent days, with troops operating on the outskirts of Gaza City, the Palestinian territory’s largest urban center.
The United Nations estimates that nearly one million people live in and around Gaza City in the territory’s north, where it has declared famine.
Gaza ‘genocide’ exposes Europe’s failure to act: top EU official
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Gaza ‘genocide’ exposes Europe’s failure to act: top EU official
- Top EU officials have so far shied away from calling Israel’s actions in the territory a “genocide”
Trump says he plans to name Gaza Board of Peace early next year
- It says the Board of Peace will operate “until such time as the Palestinian Authority (PA) has satisfactorily completed its reform program … and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza.”
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that an announcement about which world leaders will serve on the Gaza Board of Peace should be made early next year.
Trump told reporters during an economic event in the White House Roosevelt Room that a variety of leaders want to be on the board, which was established under a Gaza plan that set up a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants.
Trump said “the kings, the presidents, prime ministers — they all want to be on the Board of Peace.” He said it should be announced in the new year.
“It’ll be one of the most legendary boards ever. Everybody wants to be on it,” he said.
A United Nations Security Council resolution adopted on November 17 authorized a Board of Peace and countries working with it to establish a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza.
The resolution, drafted by the US, described the Board of Peace as a transitional administration “that will set the framework, and coordinate funding for, the redevelopment of Gaza” in line with Trump’s 20-point peace plan.
It says the Board of Peace will operate “until such time as the Palestinian Authority (PA) has satisfactorily completed its reform program … and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza.”
