Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has voiced agreement with accusations that the European Union (EU) employs a double standard in its response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. As the conflict intensifies, an increasing number of EU countries have expressed support for a humanitarian ceasefire, as the Israeli assault on Gaza has led to a dire humanitarian crisis. During an EU summit primarily focused on Ukraine, Varadkar called on his colleagues to take a stronger stance and demand an end to the fighting between Israel and Hamas in the besieged Gaza Strip. He stated, “I think the European Union has lost credibility because of our inability to take a stronger and more united position on Israel and Palestine. We’ve lost credibility at the Global South, which actually is most of the world, because of what is perceived to be double standards. And there’s some truth in that, quite frankly.”
Prior to the summit, Varadkar, along with the prime ministers of Spain, Belgium, and Malta, penned a letter to European Council President Charles Michel, urging him to facilitate a “serious debate” about the Israel-Hamas war and the “humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.” The four leaders emphasized the urgent need for all parties to declare a lasting humanitarian ceasefire that could ultimately lead to an end of hostilities.
The comments from Varadkar come after a significant majority of nations at the United Nations General Assembly voted in favor of a resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. The death toll in Gaza due to Israel’s assault has exceeded 18,000, with the majority being women and children. The resolution received support from 153 nations, while 23 abstained and 10 voted against it. Among the countries backing the ceasefire call were 17 EU member states, a notable increase from the eight that supported a previous resolution in October.
Varadkar emphasized that a ceasefire could pave the way for a new peace process and the establishment of Palestinian statehood, which he believes is crucial for achieving justice and security in the region. Spanish Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, supported Varadkar’s call, stating that Europe must speak out with a clear, strong, firm, and unified voice.
The current round of fighting between Israel and Hamas began on October 7 when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the captivity of around 240 others. Israel responded with a devastating assault on Gaza, including airstrikes and a ground offensive, aiming to dismantle Hamas. While the initial Hamas attack received widespread condemnation, Israel initially received strong international support for its actions against Hamas, particularly from the United States and several European countries.
However, as the Israeli assault continued, concerns grew regarding the dire humanitarian conditions and the displacement of over 80 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. Some allies have started to temper their support for Israel, expressing growing worries about the impact on civilians. Western countries have also faced accusations of employing a double standard, condemning Russia for violating international law during its invasion of Ukraine while exhibiting relatively muted reactions to similar acts by Israel.
US President Joe Biden, in a rare moment of sharp criticism, warned that Israel risks losing support due to its “indiscriminate bombing.” Despite mounting international pressure, Israel has shown no signs of scaling down its military offensive in Gaza. UN officials have described the conditions in Gaza as “hell on earth.” Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant even stated that the fighting in Gaza could persist for “more than several months.”
In conclusion, the remarks from Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar highlight the growing concerns over the perceived double standards in the EU’s response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. As the conflict continues to escalate and humanitarian conditions worsen, there is an urgent call for a lasting ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and suffering in the region. The international community, particularly Western countries, faces scrutiny for their varying responses to violations of international law, raising questions about consistency and fairness in their foreign policies.
