"The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, is under growing pressure from MEPs to show leadership and preserve the EU's political credibility by taking a tougher approach to Israel's government over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Von der Leyen is expected to refer to the EU's role on the world stage in her annual state of the union speech to the European parliament on Wednesday, where she will set out her agenda for the year ahead."
"The EU has found Israel in breach of human rights obligations and drawn up a list of possible sanctions, but stopped short of action, amid deep splits among its 27-member states. The commission proposed in July a partial suspension of Israel's participation in the EU's Horizon 94bn research programme, but has failed to find the necessary majority, without the support of big member states, such as Germany and Italy."
Ursula von der Leyen faces intensifying demands from MEPs to adopt a firmer stance toward Israel over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Calls for stronger measures aim to protect EU political credibility and demonstrate leadership on the world stage. Critics from the centre and left say the commission appears disconnected from the situation on the ground and must take a tougher line on the Netanyahu government. The EU has found Israel in breach of human rights obligations and drafted possible sanctions but has not acted because member states remain divided. A July proposal to partially suspend Israel from the EU's Horizon €94bn research programme failed to secure necessary support from large members such as Germany and Italy. EU foreign policy officials note some humanitarian access improvements since a July aid deal, including thousands of aid trucks entering Gaza.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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