Top EU diplomat says bloc divided over Gaza

LONDON (AA) – The EU’s foreign policy chief said Friday there are different positions among member states on Gaza and the bloc has to continue debating its position in this regard.

“The war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza are being perceived in different manners around the world,” Josep Borrell told at a news conference in Brussels in response to a question regarding “double standard” criticism against the EU over its position on the war in Ukraine and Israeli attacks in Gaza.

He said that it is not the first time he received criticism towards the EU on the bloc’s stance on Gaza, adding this is a “permanent issue.”

“The European Union has not a unified position. We have a minimum common position which is humanitarian pauses and humanitarian support and release of hostages,” noted Borrell.

He recalled the cease-fire voting at the UN in which some EU countries voted in favor while some others voted against or abstained.

“My role is to try to put together different approaches,” he added.

Borrell said that they are doing their “best” to alleviate the human suffering in Gaza.

“On the next European Union Council (meeting), I’m sure it will be a deeper debate about that and they will transmit to the heads of state and government this perception and it’s good to have these kinds of meetings,” he said.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since an attack by Hamas last October.

The onslaught has killed more than 27,000 people, mostly women and children, displaced 85% of the blockaded enclave’s population, and created conditions for famine. Israel says 1,140 people were killed in the Hamas attack.