EU’s role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
A
Twan Hover
political dilemma more di- wing conservative government visive than ever has been that mandates actions to be taken circulating UvA’s universi- against the people living in Gaza. ty grounds and beyond for weeks Moreover, the majority of Israelis now. Obviously, I am talking about believe that what is being done in the Israel-Palestine conflict, taking Gaza is justifiable since the attacks place in the area that has been a by Hamas happened first and they battlefield for as long as humanity have the right to fight back. has inhabited the area. This is also the place with the most religious Another point of attention is the significance across the world, and assassination of Israeli Prime Miwhich, one might say, is the cause nister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995. This for its never-ending violence. was a turning point in the conflict’s history. Rabin was an advocate for First of all, a human life is a human peace negotiations, and his death life, no matter the person’s origins, caused political turmoil and chanstatus or beliefs. Just like the UN’s ges in Israel’s political landscape. definition of equality “all persons, This influenced the dynamics of institutions and entities, public peace efforts and contributed to and private, including the State the challenges faced in the pursuit itself, are accountable to just, fair of peace. and equitable laws and are entitled without aunty discrimination to The European Union (EU) has acequal protection of the law”. This tively participated in diplomatic is why it is so disappointing to efforts to address the Israeli-Palessee people picking sides as if it’s tinian conflict. As a member of the a sports match when in fact it is a Middle East Quartet, the EU has ismatter of human lives being taken. sued joint statements and sought Clearly, both the Palestinians and to promote direct negotiations bethe Israelis are in the wrong, they tween Israel and the Palestinians. both have blood on their hands. Association agreements with both The amount of killings Israel is ac- sides leverage political and econocountable for is indeed significantly mic relations, with a focus on prohigher than the number of killings moting human rights and internaHamas is responsible for. But one tional law. EU financial support to must take into consideration that the Palestinian territories aims to neither are committed by the enti- stimulate economic development re populations of these countries, and provide humanitarian assistanbut rather on the Palestinian side, ce. Unfortunately, it is a common this violence is being carried out by occurrence for these aids to end the terrorist group called “Hamas’ up in the wrong hands instead of ‘ and the killings committed by Is- reaching the Palestinians in need. rael are doings of the Israeli army. Some European countries have inCurrently, Israel has a far-right- dividually recognized the state of june | eurovisie | page 17
