Gaza: speech by High Representative / Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the EP Plenary

Gaza: speech by High Representative / Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the EP Plenary

Opening remarks

Thank you dear President,

Honorable Members of the European Parliament,

Unlike in Ukraine, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is testing Europe's resolve because we are not united.

Europe has not sat on its hands. Europe has been the most active actor for Gaza in the world. We are the largest humanitarian donor and a constant supporter of the Palestinian Authority and the two-state solution. We have helped more than any other international actor. Day in and day out, I have pushed for aid to reach those in desperate need. I have applied the political leverage we have.

I negotiated directly with my counterpart to reach a humanitarian understanding with Israel with specific benchmarks. Because earlier efforts had not resulted in any change.

For example, I tasked our Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process to work with the European External Action Service and DG ECHO to engage directly with Israel to open the gates of Gaza to humanitarian assistance. Not a single truck entered the Gaza Strip during the blockade.

Since our humanitarian understanding with Israel, there have been some positive developments:

2,904 trucks have entered between 10 July and 1 September; the reopening of more crossing points; the reopening of the Jordanian and Egyptian routes; an increased amount of fuel entering Gaza - the minimum agreed 196.000 litres was reached in mid-August. However, we see fluctuation in quantities entering the Strip in the last two weeks. On structural intervention, repairs to vital infrastructure have improved water access in the South Gaza de-salination plant is also operational. However, three main water pipelines suffered damages due to ongoing hostilities.

And in August, a ship carrying 1,200 tonnes of aid departed from Limassol, Cyprus. Further shipments will continue.

I would like to thank Cyprus in particular for their efforts.

And I agree with you, it is not enough. It is not enough. We need to do more.

I also have led a full review of Israel's compliance with Article 2 of our Association Agreement. We drew up an inventory of possible options to pressure the Israeli government to change its course of action.

The Commission then followed with a proposal to suspend parts of Horizon but there is no required support for that yet. And I know that this is a qualified majority decision.

While there was support for these steps, there is no unity on what should come next.

Now we have a statement of famine in Northern Gaza. There are major safety and security concerns for international humanitarian staff which hinder efforts to distribute aid. Trucks are looted and aid is not distributed properly. War continues, including now in Gaza City. And so I ask you, what more can we do?

Honourable Members,

I believe we must continue diplomatic efforts with Israeli government because we cannot get anywhere if we do not talk. In my contacts with Foreign Minister [Sa'ar], I have consistently raised the restrictive requirements for international NGOs to register. He has informed me that the deadline for registration was now extended to November.

How we uphold European values internationally is a collective responsibility that demands a collective European response. On my side, I can reassure you that I leave no stone unturned in my efforts to make progress. I will continue this way.

Our options for more action are clear and remain on the table. But Member States disagree on how to get the Israeli government to change course. That is why several Member States have now taken national measures in response to the actions of the Israeli government. But we cannot move as a Union until Member States share the same view on what to do.

This is not the time to point fingers but to unite for solutions. And there are many places where we do agree. We all agree on the diagnosis and on the goals: end the suffering; end the conflict; and secure the release of all hostages.

Yesterday's attack in Jerusalem underlines the incredible danger facing both Palestinians and Israelis. Aggression breeds more aggression and radicalisation. If there was a military resolution, the war in Gaza would have long been over.

Now we must summon the political will to agree on a European way forward. And I call on the European Parliament's support in this endeavour.

Member States' actions are crucial but only our unity can have amplified effect.

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-276515

Closing remarks

Honourable Members,

Thank you for this debate.

A few remarks: first, we have not been silent. On famine, we have a statement on the 22nd of August. We have been very, very clear about this.

When I say that I am frustrated, I am frustrated that we cannot do more. This is what I am constantly working on, and that is why we are trying to improve the situation.

If you think that I do not empathise with the people, that I do not feel the suffering of the people, this is not true. That is why I work hard to really improve the situation and help the people on the ground.

There was the leader of The Left, MEP Aubry and MEP Martins, of course, both of them are not here when I respond. I understand that the people of Europe do not know how Europe functions. You can point on one person and say that "why do you not do this decision and everything works out well?", whereas the MEPs, especially leaders of the groups, should know how Europe functions.

We are not run by executive orders. We are run by collective decision making, which means that we have 27 countries in the Council. And even as we have proposed measures that require qualified majority, we do not have that, so work with the Member States of yours.

I was hearing many Member States, representatives of Member States here, work with them so that they would also agree to these decisions - also the Commission. We are rendering decisions by consensus.

You can point the fingers at me, but I really assure you I try to do my best to improve the situation on the ground - and I will remain in contact with my counterpart in Israel, because I am also raising all these difficult issues that you are saying here. I also urge you to call your Israeli counterparts and say that you do not approve this situation. So also, to address the difficult questions we have.

Of course, we must be calling for permanent ceasefire and release of hostages. The EU is committed to supporting the two-state solution. This is where we are united, and where we will continue the work. So, I do not agree with MEP Demirel that I have given a green light for what Israel is doing. That is not true.

I have raised every time all these issues to do with the Israeli counterpart, but I urge you to also learn how the European Union functions. Here you could see also the division amongst the Member States. This is the same that I am up against in the Council and in the College.

I have not been silent at all, but I am not yelling, maybe as you are yelling, I have not been silent at all. We have had strong statements, and of course, like I said, we try to do more every day, and I urge you to support us in this endeavour.

Thanks

Link to the video: https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/video/AV_I276518