EU‍ Must Overcome disunity to Broker‍ Israel-palestine ‍Peace

⁣ ‍ Updated June 28, ⁢2025
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Despite its⁢ important presence in the region, the European ⁣Union has played a largely auxiliary role in resolving ⁤the ⁣Israeli-Palestinian conflict.⁤ Over the past two decades, many European governments have considered a two-state solution unattainable, making it a⁢ low⁣ priority. Maintaining ‍the status quo, with rhetorical condemnations of certain Israeli actions, seemed manageable to many Europeans.

However, this⁢ approach has proven inadequate. As Europe and the world have watched, the failure to secure a lasting peace, ⁤where⁤ both israelis and Palestinians have the right to self-determination, has become increasingly ⁣costly.

While some European governments are hesitant to intervene in other countries’ ‍affairs,given their colonial history,Europe can no longer afford to remain on the ⁢sidelines.The recent conflict,triggered by Hamas’s oct.7 attack on Israel and the subsequent⁤ Israeli war on ⁤Gaza, along with escalations⁣ involving Iran, threatens Europe’s security. Moreover, europe’s history compels it to intervene against violations of international ⁣law. The EU’s experience ⁣in overcoming cycles of war and fostering collaboration between former ⁤adversaries offers ‍valuable lessons for the aftermath⁤ of the Gaza conflict.

Many European leaders ⁢have called for a more active⁣ EU role in⁣ peacemaking and are increasing ‍their individual efforts.However, a concerted plan is⁢ needed. This plan⁣ should include‍ the EU embracing its responsibility in the Middle east, leveraging ‍its financial power, supporting those who seek peace, confronting spoilers, protecting those who expose facts on⁢ the ground, backing the UN, and consistently upholding international law. Above all, the EU must address internal obstacles caused by its member states’‍ differing stances ⁢on israel.

Europe’s Historical⁣ Responsibility

Europeans bear significant responsibility for the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, both as original⁤ perpetrators and historical⁢ accomplices. Anti-Semitic European nationalisms and colonial tropes in the 19th⁣ century contributed⁣ to the rise of Zionism. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, European powers divided the region, creating boundaries,⁢ exacerbating ⁢local divisions, ⁣and exploiting resources. the 1917⁢ Balfour ⁢Declaration,while promising to protect the rights of non-Jewish communities in Palestine,was⁣ not adequately enforced. These factors⁢ set the stage for the Holocaust.

These historical events obligate Europeans to prevent the annihilation of Israel, the safe haven sought by Jews after the Holocaust.However, Europe also bears responsibility for the⁢ victims of its victims. After the end of the British mandate in‍ Palestine, Israel’s 1948 war of independence, and the displacement‍ of hundreds of ⁣thousands of Palestinian Arabs, Europeans did not challenge the UN’s failure to implement its partition plan, which would have⁣ established a homeland for both peoples, according to the article.

Supporting ⁣Peace⁤ Efforts

The EU should actively support civil society groups working for⁣ peace⁣ through mutual ⁢respect, empathy, ⁣and recognition. The EU should highlight the peace efforts of Israeli and Palestinian activists, such as the alliance for Middle East Peace, Women Wage Peace, and the Parents ⁣Circle-Families Forum, in both Israel and the Arab world. The ‍EU ⁤should also oppose Israel’s⁤ proposal to tax foreign aid to ⁢peace organizations and counter pressure on civil‍ society groups that oppose the Palestinian leadership.

The EU‍ could also support a citizens’ “peace assembly” of randomly selected Israelis and Palestinians to design a path to peace.This assembly would convene on neutral ground over several months,giving‍ citizens a greater say in their future.

Confronting Spoilers

the EU must apply the lesson that international relations are not a zero-sum game when dealing with spoilers in the Middle East. While the EU has rightly designated Hamas and Palestinian Islamic⁤ Jihad as ‍terrorist entities, it has done little to sanction Israeli settlers who commit violence against Palestinians.The EU has also not acted against Israel’s war ⁢crimes ⁤in Gaza. This unbalanced pressure strengthens hard-liners on both sides of the conflict.

Unbalanced pressure⁣ strengthens⁢ spoilers on⁤ both sides of a conflict.

Consistency is crucial to avoid accusations⁣ of double standards. The EU cannot ban imports from Russian-occupied⁢ Ukraine while failing ⁣to⁣ do so for products from illegal West Bank settlements. Nor can it call on other states to honor the International ⁢Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin while not⁤ enforcing ‍the same warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,the article states.

The EU could revoke⁢ visa waivers for settlement ⁢residents ⁣and implement Schengen-wide entry bans. By imposing visa requirements only on West Bank Palestinians and not⁣ on settlers,the EU becomes complicit in an “apartheid-style regime.” The EU-Israel Association Agreement, the legal framework governing relations since⁤ 2000, could be reexamined, with Article 2 providing a basis to reconsider the agreement due to ⁢human rights violations.

At a minimum, the EU could initiate a formal review of the agreement, suspend summits⁢ and high-level political contacts, or suspend Israel’s participation in EU programs like Erasmus+. ⁣Suspending the agreement’s trade ‍provisions, effectively pausing Israel’s preferential ⁣tariffs, would send a strong message. The EU should also ban imports from illegal settlements, which fall outside the Association Agreement, in line with a 2024⁤ International Court of ⁣Justice advisory opinion.

While unanimous support is ‍needed⁣ to suspend the entire agreement, most experts believe that only⁤ a qualified majority vote is needed to suspend its trade provisions.Given that the EU has only suspended preferential trade provisions with⁣ Myanmar and Cambodia, ‍such a move would be highly symbolic. The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, should support this move at‍ the‍ next EU Foreign ⁢Affairs Council in July.

Upholding Values and International Law

The EU must uphold its values by supporting the free ‍flow of factual facts. Hamas has ⁢suppressed media independence, ⁣while Netanyahu’s government⁣ has imposed a⁢ media blackout in Gaza. More⁢ journalists have ⁤been killed in Gaza ⁣than in⁤ any previous armed conflict. Israel refuses to cooperate with UN investigators and defies International⁢ Court of Justice orders.

Hate speech, incitement, and disinformation online are fueling ‍anti-Semitism and anti-Arab and anti-Muslim hatred. The EU can ⁤use its regulatory powers over social⁢ media companies to dissolve digital echo chambers by requiring them to disclose and adapt their algorithms.

While there is no moral equivalence between a democratic state and a terrorist‍ group, the‍ rule of law must be applied impartially. the EU must make it clear that it will not tolerate efforts ⁣to intimidate international courts. Recent threats⁢ and sanctions against ICC officials by Israel and the United⁤ States challenge‍ the⁣ multilateral legal order.

The EU’s 1996 Blocking Statute, designed to shield EU companies from U.S.⁢ sanctions, should be updated⁤ to protect institutions like the ICC from coercive measures. A revised Blocking Statute should include provisions to⁤ resist extraterritorial pressure, and the⁤ EU should consider targeted sanctions⁣ against those who obstruct international justice mechanisms.

Overcoming Disunity

Europeans need⁣ to discuss their disunity in condemning Israel or recognizing⁤ a Palestinian state. This disunity has prevented the EU from using its leverage effectively. The Gaza war has ⁤highlighted the EU’s inability to ‍make timely‍ decisions,‍ even when a majority of member states agree. For example, despite a majority supporting a cease-fire in October-November 2023, the EU could not ⁣act decisively.

Europe must ⁤improve its decision-making processes to uphold its values. While the Common Foreign ‍and Security Policy requires unanimous ⁣votes for military, defense, sanctions, and⁤ foreign policy decisions, member states could switch to qualified⁢ majority voting in some areas, though this requires unanimity.

Alternatively,a smaller ⁢group⁣ could establish ⁢a CFSP+ to utilize foreign ⁣policy tools not related to defense. This would allow ‍them to use the EU’s trade, aid, and political leverage more decisively. The⁣ Israeli-Palestinian crisis ⁤has ‍shown how easily the EU can be‍ paralyzed on divisive subjects. Overcoming the effect of 27 veto powers ⁣is crucial for both European policy and the Middle East.This change might make it easier for the EU ⁣to help design a peace plan⁤ incorporating the views ‍of all relevant actors in the region. If a majority of member states can ‍coalesce around a vision, the rest might follow.

What’s ⁢next

By addressing its internal divisions and taking decisive action,the EU can play a more effective role in fostering peace between Israelis and Palestinians,drawing on its own history of overcoming conflict⁢ to‍ inspire its neighbors.