EU Commission discards Vice President Ribera's assertion that Israel's war in Gaza constitutes genocide

The European Commission, a high-ranking EU institution, has seen a significant development as its Vice-President, Teresa Ribera, publicly referred to Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide. However, it's important to note that the Commission as a whole has not formally adopted this terminology.

Ribera's remarks, made during a speech at Sciences Po, have sparked a heated response. In an interview with POLITICO in August, she stated that the situation in Gaza "looks very much" like genocide. This was the first time she explicitly used the word "genocide" in reference to Israel's war on Gaza.

Ribera also called on the EU to consider suspending its Association Agreement with Israel. Her comments received swift condemnation from Israel, with its foreign ministry describing her remarks as "baseless allegations" and labeling her a mouthpiece for Hamas propaganda.

The European Commission, however, has distanced itself from Ribera's description of Israel's military assault in Gaza as genocide. Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho stated that it is not up to the Commission to judge on this question or definition. Anouar El Anouni, another Commission spokesperson, added that establishing whether international crimes, including genocide, have been committed, is the competence of national courts and international courts.

The situation in Gaza has been a topic of global concern, with 14 U.N. Security Council members calling for an immediate ceasefire in response to Israel's military assault. Protests have also spread across European cities in response to the conflict.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas-led militants stormed out of the Gaza Strip into nearby Israel, resulting in the death of approximately 1,200 people, most of them civilians.

Ribera's comments expose a divide within the EU, with some members pushing for a stronger stance against Israel's actions in Gaza. She stated that the genocide in Gaza exposes Europe's failure to act and speak with one voice.

This report was contributed to by Ferdinand Knapp. The situation remains a complex and sensitive one, with ongoing efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.