We have launched a new blog at the link below and will now be closing this one – follow this link for the latest:
AFP: Following days of confusing and sometimes contradictory messaging about the EU’s stance on the developing Israel-Hamas conflict, leaders of the bloc’s countries on Tuesday are to try to rally around a clear statement.
“We felt the need to bring some order,” one EU official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the issue more freely.
A videoconference of the leaders, taking place at 15.30 GMT and chaired by European Council President Charles Michel, will seek to supersede initial steps taken by the European Commission and its chief, Ursula von der Leyen.
Von der Leyen last Friday flew to Israel to tell its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Europe backed Israel‘s right to defend itself.
But that message was delivered without the caution being voiced by other Western leaders, and by the EU’s own top foreign policy official Josep Borrell, that Israeli action must abide by international humanitarian law.
Several EU governments bristled at von der Leyen taking it on herself to wade into foreign policy matters, which are decided by member countries, without prior consultation and straying from their national positions.
