This came in a joint statement by the leaders of Spain, Norway, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, and Slovenia, in which they affirmed their rejection of any plans for forced displacement or demographic change in the Strip.
With full American support, Israel has continued to commit genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving more than 173,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing.
"We will not remain silent in the face of this disaster."
"We will not remain silent in the face of the man-made humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes in Gaza," the European leaders said in their statement, noting that "more than 50,000 men, women, and children have lost their lives."
They warned that "many more people could starve to death in the coming days and weeks unless immediate action is taken," calling on the Israeli government to "immediately reverse its current policies and refrain from further military operations."
They called for the complete lifting of the blockade on Gaza, ensuring the safe, rapid, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to all parts of the Strip by international humanitarian agencies, in accordance with humanitarian principles. They also emphasized support for the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, particularly UNRWA, and ensuring their unrestricted access to those in need.
Since March 2, Israel has closed all crossings into Gaza, causing famine despite the accumulation of aid along the border. Meanwhile, Tel Aviv and Washington are promoting aid distribution plans that effectively aim to depopulate the northern Gaza Strip by transforming Rafah into a major relief center.
Call for negotiation and rejection of displacement
European leaders called on all parties to "engage immediately, in good faith, in negotiations aimed at a ceasefire and the release of all hostages," commending the mediation role of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. They emphasized that this step constitutes a foundation for building a lasting, just, and comprehensive peace based on the implementation of the two-state solution.
They also affirmed their continued support for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, and their commitment to working within the framework of the United Nations and in cooperation with the League of Arab States and Islamic countries to advance a peaceful and sustainable solution, believing that respect for international law is the path to ensuring lasting peace.
Last March, the first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel, which began on January 19 with Egyptian-Qatari mediation and US support, concluded. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, renounced the start of the second phase and resumed the genocide on March 18, to appease the extremist faction within his government.
Rejecting displacement plans and escalation in the West Bank
European leaders expressed their absolute rejection of any plans for the forced displacement or expulsion of Palestinians, stressing that this constitutes a violation of international law. They also rejected any attempts to effect demographic change in the Palestinian territories.
The statement noted that since the start of the genocide, there have been public Israeli calls to reoccupy Gaza and displace its population, particularly after US President Donald Trump announced on January 25 a plan to seize control of the Strip and displace its residents.
The European leaders also condemned the increasing escalation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, including settler violence, settlement expansion, and the intensification of Israeli military operations. They concluded their statement by emphasizing "the need to shoulder collective responsibility to put an end to this devastation in Gaza."
In parallel with the genocide in Gaza, Israel escalated its attacks in the West Bank, resulting in the deaths of at least 967 Palestinians, the injury of nearly 7,000, and the arrest of more than 17,000. It has also imposed a siege on Gaza for 18 years, and the recent war destroyed the homes of more than 1.5 million Palestinians, leaving them homeless.
