As the Palestinian death toll rises, criticism of Israel's war in the Gaza Strip is mounting in Europe. "Far too many civilians have been killed in Gaza as pointed out among others also by the French, German and UK Foreign Ministers," Josep Borrell, head of European diplomacy, wrote on X on Monday, December 18.
"Certainly, we are witnessing an appalling lack of distinction in Israel's military operation in Gaza," he said, before listing the places and people affected by Israeli bombardment: "The Holy Family Church and the Charity Convent, shelters for displaced people, were attacked. Worshippers, three Israeli hostages, and hundreds of other civilians have died during the most recent military operations. This must stop – a humanitarian pause is urgently needed."
But the European Union is not yet ready to call for a ceasefire. "Let's be frank," Borrell told Le Monde on Friday, "on Tuesday, December 12, we were still clearly divided at the UN when we voted on a resolution calling for a ceasefire. Two European countries were still against it." While Germany has changed its position, Austria and the Czech Republic are still determined not to offend Israel.
On Monday evening, Borrell reiterated his concern about the "aggravating humanitarian situation in Gaza, the increasing violence from settlers in the West Bank and the disruption of shipping lanes in the Red Sea," which, "are posing growing risks in the area and may further spiral."
If Germany, which has shown unwavering support for Israel since October 7, called for a ceasefire, it would represent a change of heart. "I don't think that calls for an immediate ceasefire or a long pause – which are tantamount to the same thing – are correct. Ultimately, this will mean that Israel will leave Hamas the opportunity to rebuild and get new rockets," declared Chancellor Olaf Scholz on November 12.
The German government, by stepping up its pressure on Israel today, is echoing the divisions of public opinion. On December 5, a poll by the Allensbach Institute showed that only a third of those questioned shared the idea that Israel's security was in the national interest of Germany – an idea that was formulated by Angela Merkel in 2008 and reaffirmed by Scholz after October 7. According to the survey, 57% of Germans want their country to play a mediating role in the Middle East conflict, with only 35% approving of the idea of Israel invading the Gaza Strip to ensure its security.
The British government also raised its voice: In a joint op-ed with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, published in Die Welt and the Sunday Times, Foreign Secretary David Cameron called for the first time for a "sustainable cease-fire, leading to a sustainable peace," lamenting that "too many civilians have been killed." On Monday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also argued that, while Israel has the right to defend itself, "it must do that in accordance with humanitarian law. It's clear that too many civilian lives have been lost. And that's why we've been consistent...in calling for a sustainable ceasefire, whereby hostages are released, rockets stop being fired into Israel by Hamas and we continue to get more aid in."
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