EU Commission distancing from Genocide declaration concerning Gaza situation

In the midst of a deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, the European Union (EU) has proposed sanctions against Israel due to the dire situation. However, the proposal has not found a majority, with Germany notably opposing it.

The EU Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, has not initially referred to Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip as genocide. This is despite the EU Commission analysis mentioning thousands of civilian deaths and a rapidly rising number of cases of severe malnutrition, particularly among children, in the region.

The proposed measure would involve suspending cooperation under the Horizon Europe research funding program. This move has sparked outrage in Israel, with a spokesperson for Israel's Foreign Ministry accusing Teresa Ribera, Vice-President of the EU Commission, of becoming "a mouthpiece for Hamas propaganda."

Teresa Ribera's use of the term "genocide" in a speech in Paris caused controversy. However, it is important to note that she was not speaking on behalf of the Brussels institution. The EU Commission has not taken a position on the genocide question, and it is up to the courts to decide on the matter.

Israel defends its actions in the Gaza Strip as a necessary response to the terrorist attack by Hamas and other extremists. Another goal of Israel in the Gaza Strip is to dismantle and disarm the Hamas terrorist organization and secure the release of all hostages taken there.

The catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has been a point of contention, with Teresa Ribera stating that the "genocide in Gaza" exposed Europe's failure to act together and speak with one voice. This statement has added fuel to the ongoing debate about the EU's role in addressing the crisis.

The discussion around EU sanctions against Israel was prominent in early September 2025 around EU minister meetings in Copenhagen. The EU proposal for sanctions has been supported by many countries, but it has not yet found the necessary support to pass. The future of the Gaza Strip and the relationship between the EU and Israel remains uncertain.