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BRUSSELS Oct. 7 () –
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has condemned the Hamas attacks on the first anniversary of the unprecedented attacks on Israeli soil, stating that they generated “immense suffering” in Israel but also in “innocent Palestinians” , in reference to the offensive unleashed against the Gaza Strip that has left nearly 42,000 dead.
Von der Leyen stressed in a statement that the Hamas attacks left “horrifying images of indescribable savagery” and insisted that “there can be no justification for Hamas’ acts of terror.” “I condemn once again, and in the strongest terms possible, these barbaric attacks,” he said of the attacks, which left 1,200 dead and hundreds of hostages.
In this sense, the head of the European Executive maintains that the actions of the Islamic movement “caused immense suffering not only to the people of Israel, but also to innocent Palestinians.” Thus, he wanted to have words to honor the Israeli and Palestinian victims, although without specifically pointing out Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
“On this tragic anniversary, I want to honor the memory of the victims. The European Union stands with all the innocent people whose lives have been shattered since that fateful day,” he said.
For Von der Leyen, Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel “triggered a spiral of violence that has led the entire region to a state of extreme tension and volatility,” which is why she called for the “responsibility and moderation” of all parties, who must “commit to reducing current tensions.”
As the EU has been doing for a few months, after overcoming the request for ‘humanitarian pauses’, the German ‘popular’ has reiterated the demand for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the release of the hostages and the end of the conflict.
Likewise, he has referred to the two-state solution as the “only viable path” to end the crisis in the Middle East and denounced that anti-Semitism is on the rise, which is why he has committed to dedicating more funds to combat this phenomenon.
MICHEL CALLS FOR DEFENSE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
In another message on social networks, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, denounced the “brutal attack” perpetrated by Hamas a year ago against innocent Israeli civilians and indicated that it fueled the spiral of violence in the region.
“A ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages is of the utmost urgency. So are efforts to protect lives on the ground and reduce tension,” he said.
In this sense, the former Belgian Prime Minister in his message emphasizes that the defense of International Law and International Humanitarian Law throughout the world is part of the values of the EU, mentions that Von der Leyen does not make in his statement.
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