EU Commissioner Calls Gaza Conflict a ‘Genocide,’ Exposes Europe’s Divisions
PARIS — European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera has described Israel’s war in Gaza as a “genocide,” highlighting sharp divisions within the European Union over how to respond to the conflict.
Speaking in Paris, Ribera said the crisis had revealed Europe’s failure to act with unity. Her comments stand in contrast to most top EU officials, who have avoided using the term “genocide,” saying it is up to courts to make such legal judgments.
The EU remains split, with some member states urging stronger measures against Israel while others continue to back the country. Even within the Commission, frustrations are clear. Ribera has repeatedly voiced disappointment over the lack of progress on addressing the issue.
Her remarks could add pressure on Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has so far taken a cautious line. In July, von der Leyen’s team proposed cutting funding to Israeli start-ups in response to the war, but the plan has not secured majority support among member states.
The conflict has exacted a heavy toll. According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 64,231 Palestinians — mostly civilians — have been killed. The United Nations treats these figures as credible. The war began after Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, which killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians, based on Israeli figures.
Nearly two years on, Israel has intensified its military operations, with troops now positioned on the outskirts of Gaza City, the largest urban center in the territory. The UN estimates that about one million people still live in and around the city, where famine has already been declared.
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