Reacting to the European Council’s conclusions of 20 March 2025 on the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory Eve Geddie, the Director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office, said:
“After 17 months of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, the fact that the EU refuses to name Israel, condemn air strikes wiping out entire families or condemn Israel’s blocking of vital humanitarian aid is extraordinary. The EU’s position not only fails to reflect the EU’s professed commitment to international law, but also demonstrates selective compassion towards victims, particularly when they are Palestinian.
“The EU leaders’ text is another shameful attempt to justify Israel’s genocide and war crimes against Palestinians. Instead of obfuscating the facts, EU leaders should take clear and decisive action to prevent potential complicity in Israel’s genocide in Gaza, apartheid and unlawful occupation. For too long the EU has been divided on how to respond to Israel’s genocide in Gaza, with some member states continuing to send weapons and ammunition to Israel in breach of their obligations to prevent genocide and ensure respect for the Geneva Conventions. This must end now.”
Background
On Tuesday 18 March 2025, Israel resumed its devastating bombing campaign in Gaza. Since 2 March, Israel has re-imposed a total siege on Gaza blocking the entry of all humanitarian aid, medicine, and commercial supplies, including fuel and food, in flagrant violation of international law. Israel has also cut off electricity to Gaza’s main operational desalination plant.
Despite the International Court of Justice clearly laying out the responsibility of third states to prevent trade and investment that contributes to maintaining the unlawful occupation, the EU continues to trade with and invest in Israeli settlements.
The EU member states have also failed to adopt any measures following the International Court of Justice orders in the case brought against by South Africa for alleged violations of the Genocide Convention, in which the Court, in January 2024, found that there is a plausible risk of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Amnesty International report “‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza” found that Israel has committed and is continuing to commit genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
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