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Gathering in support to Israel in front of the European Parliament in Brussels in presence of Roberta Metsola (President of the European Parliament), Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission), Charles Michel (President of the European Council) and Members of the Parliament on October 11, 2023.
The Gaza war has had significant effects on some major European Union member countries and institutions.
The Hamas-led attack on 7 October involved a barrage of several thousand rockets directed at Israel concurrent to an estimated 3,000 militants breaching the Gaza–Israel barrier and attacking Israeli military bases and civilian communities. During this attack, 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals including 766 civilians and 373 security personnel were killed,[b][c] while 253 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive to the Gaza Strip. The attack has been described as a major Israeli intelligence failure.[6] Hamas said its attack was in response to the continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, the blockade of the Gaza Strip, the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements, threats to the status of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the plight of Palestinian refugees and prisoners.[7][8][9][10][11] In response, Israel declared a state of war, tightened its blockade and launched one of the most severe bombing campaigns in modern history, before commencing the ground invasion on 27 October with the stated objective of destroying Hamas and controlling the Gaza Strip.[12]
European Union: President of the European CommissionUrsula von der Leyen said she "unequivocally" condemned "the attack carried out by Hamas terrorists against Israel", calling it "terrorism in its most despicable form" and saying "Israel has the right to defend itself against such heinous attacks".[33][34] EU ambassador to Israel Dimiter Tzantchev condemned the attack.[35] Israeli flags were raised outside the headquarters of the European Commission and the European Parliament in Brussels, while the latter's president Roberta Metsola led a vigil in the chamber on 11 October to commemorate the Israeli victims of the attack which also featured a minute's silence and a rendition of the Israeli national anthem. The European Council issued a joint statement of 15 October, condemning "in the strongest possible terms" Hamas and its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks.[36]
Austria: Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg announced the suspension of the delivery of 19 million euros ($20million) of aid to Palestinian areas on 9 October in response to Hamas' attack and said that it would review its existing projects in Palestine. He also said that he would summon the Iranian ambassador to address Iran's "abhorrent reactions" to the attack.[37]
Belgium: Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib said on X that the country strongly condemned "the massive rocket attacks against Israeli civilians" and said that their "thoughts are with all those affected".[34]
Croatia: Prime Minister Andrej Plenković condemned the attacks referring to them as "terrorist acts against civilians" and expressed solidarity with Israel.[39] Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić-Radman also condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Israel.[40]
Cyprus: President Nikos Christodoulides and the Cypriot embassy in Israel condemned the attacks and stated that Cyprus stood with Israel.[41][42]
Czech Republic: Prime Minister Petr Fiala condemned the attack, stating his thoughts were "with the innocent victims of the violence" and wishing "our friends in Israel the swiftest possible handling of the situation and the fulfilment[sic] of their ambitions to live in peace and security."[43][44] Fiala participated in pro-Israel demonstrations in Prague and called the country "the voice of Israel in Europe."[45]
Estonia: Marko Mihkelson, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu, strongly condemned the attacks against Israel, saying he was "concerned about the expansion of terrorist activity in the region". He invited international organisations to "confront the attempts of terrorist regimes to create instability and chaos in the whole Middle East region."[47]
France: President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned the attack and expressed his "full solidarity with the victims, their families and loved ones".[49][34] The French embassy in Israel condemned the attacks and described Hamas' actions as "inadmissible terrorist attacks".[50]
Germany: ChancellorOlaf Scholz said he was deeply shocked by the "terrifying news" of "rocket fire from Gaza and the escalating violence". He also said that Germany condemned Hamas' attack and would stand by Israel."[51][34] Germany suspended €125million ($131million) of development aid to Palestine in response to Hamas' attack and said it would review other projects and aid given.[52] Scholz offered military aid to Israel,[53] while President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called on Arabs living in Germany to distance themselves from Hamas.[54]
Greece: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis strongly condemned the terrorist attack against Israel, that caused a high number of casualties among civilians. He also expressed his full support for the people of Israel and its right to self-defense.[55] Migration minister Dimitris Keridis expressed his concerns of a resurgence in illegal immigrants to southern Europe, saying that the attack would "not ease illegal migration".[56]
Hungary: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán strongly condemned the attack against Israel, and stated that he unequivocally supported Israel's right to self-defence. He also expressed his "sympathy and condolences" to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that "our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Israel in these dark hours".[57][58]
Ireland: TaoiseachLeo Varadkar strongly condemned Hamas' attacks against Israel, calling them "appalling" and expressed that Ireland unequivocally condemned attacks on civilians. Tánaiste, Foreign Minister and Defence MinisterMicheál Martin further condemned Hamas' "unconscionable" attacks, expressing that "deliberate and systematic targeting of civilians can never be justified". They called for an immediate cessation of all hostilities.[59] President Michael D. Higgins subsequently issued a statement condemning the attacks as "deeply reprehensible" and expressed his support for Israel's right to defend itself.[60][61]
Italy: Foreign MinisterAntonio Tajani said the government condemned in the strongest terms the attacks on Israel; saying that "people's lives, the security of the region and the resumption of any political process are at risk." He also urged Hamas to "immediately stop this barbaric violence" and said that Italy supports "Israel's right to exist and defend itself".[62] The Prime Minister's office released a statement saying that the government was "closely following the brutal attack taking place in Israel" and condemned "in the strongest terms the ongoing terror and violence against innocent civilians" It also said it supported "Israel's right to defend itself."[34]
Latvia: President Edgars Rinkēvičs expressed his country's "unwavering support to Israel's legitimate right to defend itself against terrorists".[63] Foreign Minister Krišjānis Kariņš accused Hamas of using Palestinian civilians as human shields.[64]
Lithuania: President Gitanas Nausėda said that the country unequivocally condemned Hamas attacks against civilians in Israel and said the country fully supported "Israel in these terrible hours", and expressed "condolences to the families of the victims". He also said that "Israel has the right to defend itself."[65] The Seimas unanimously adopted a resolution condemning Hamas' attacks.[66]
Luxembourg: Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn condemned Hamas's attack, and underlined the need for a renewed international commitment to a two-state solution.[67]
Netherlands: Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu about the attack by Hamas on Israel and "told him that the Netherlands unequivocally condemns this terrorist violence and fully supports Israel's right to defend itself".[69][34]
Poland: Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau condemned "in the strongest terms the ongoing attacks by Hamas against Israel".[70][34]
Romania: President Klaus Iohannis strongly condemned the attack against Israel, adding that the country stood "in full solidarity with Israel in these terrible moments."[72]
Slovakia: Defence Minister Martin Sklenár condemned the Hamas attacks in the "strongest terms" and supported Israel's right to self-defense.[73]
Spain: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez strongly condemned what he called terrorism and demanded the immediate cessation of indiscriminate violence against the civilian population, likewise affirming Spain's standing commitment to regional stability.[75][76] Deputy prime minister Yolanda Díaz called on the international community to put pressure on Israel to stop what she called a massacre in Gaza,[77] while Minister of Social Rights Ione Belarra accused the EU and the US of "being complicit in Israel's war crimes" and called for Israel to be denounced before the International Criminal Court because of what she identified as ongoing "planned genocide" in the Gaza Strip against the Palestinian peoples.[78] In November 2023, Sanchez criticized Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip and called for an "immediate ceasefire". He promised to "work in Europe and in Spain to recognise the Palestinian state".[79]
On 2 December, the European Greens condemned "the horrific terrorist attacks committed by Hamas", but pointed that the civilian cost of the current conflict [in Israel and Gaza] is "unacceptable" and called on Israel to respect international law while defending themselves.[83]
Development
Numerous members of the European Union have gone to Israel for consultations.
On 17 October, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Israel to express solidarity with the country. On his departure from Ben-Gurion airport, he was evacuated to a shelter after a rocket alarm went off.[85]
On 21 October 2023, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Israel to express solidarity with the country.[86] French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Israel on 24 October.[87] Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala arrived in Israel on 25 October.[88] During the visit of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, after Israel had launched the invasion of the Gaza Strip the month before, Netanyahu was asked to respect international law, and Sánchez announced that Spain is ready to recognize the State of Palestine.[89] They held a press conference at the Rafah border crossing, emphasizing the importance of Israel's adherence to international humanitarian law.[90] This triggered a harsh reaction from Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen, who subsequently accused both prime ministers of "giving support to terrorism" in Israel.[91]
Serving European Union heads of state and government that have visited Israel during the war
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was criticised for supporting Israel and not calling for a ceasefire while EU’s foreign ministers condemned the attack by Hamas but also “called for the protection of civilians and restraint, the release of hostages, for allowing access to food, water and medicines to Gaza in line with international humanitarian law.”[107] Some EU member states — Ireland, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Slovenia, and Denmark — called her out for what they saw as an usurpation of the European Council foreign policy prerogatives.[108][109]
The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has been more critical of Israel, calling the country’s siege of Gaza illegal and dismissing its evacuation order as unrealistic. As European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, he condemned the "barbaric and terrorist attack" by Hamas on Israel which started the 2023 Israel–Hamas war. On 10 October 2023, Borrell accused Israel of breaking international law by imposing a total blockade of the Gaza Strip.[110] On 3 January 2024, he condemned the comments of the Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, writing, "Forced displacements are strictly prohibited as a grave violation of [international humanitarian law] & words matter."[111][112][113] In March 2024, Borrell said Israel's depriving food from Palestinians was a serious violation of international humanitarian law, and described the Al-Rashid humanitarian aid incident as "totally unacceptable carnage".[114]
On 10 April 2024, the UN's special rapporteur on PalestineFrancesca Albanese said that the EU should suspend ties with Israel to prevent crimes of genocide in Gaza, supporting the initiative made by Ireland and Spain for a review of the EU-Israel agreement[115] as she said that under the current situation, Israel has "no incentive whatsoever to change conduct".[116]
On 26 January 2024, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) announced it was investigating allegations, presented to it by Israel nearly two weeks before, of the involvement of a dozen of its employees in the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel,[118] with 12 UNRWA employees allegedly involved in the attacks,[119] and spreading allegations that around ten percent of the UNRWA's 13,000 employees in the Gaza Strip have connections to Islamist militant groups. This accusation led to temporary suspension of funding to the organization by many European Union members, including Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Finland, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.[120][121] This funds halt was criticized by several international organizations "considering the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip",[122][123] and led to other EU members—namely Spain,[124] Portugal[125][126] and Ireland[127][128]—to increase their funding of UNRWA. Among the top ten individual European Union donors, France, Denmark, Spain, Belgium and Ireland did not halt their donations.[129] The EU, which had suspended funding pending the outcome of the UNRWA investigations, restored and increased its funding on 1 March 2024[130] as so did Sweden after receiving assurances of extra checks on its spending and personnel.[131]
On 1 March 2024, the EU decided not to await the outcome of the UNRWA investigation, and instead put in place a €275 million funding package, being restoration of 2024 funding of €82 million, plus €125 million of humanitarian aid for Palestinians for 2024, which UNRWA is not excluded from implementing and another €68 million through international partners like the Red Cross and the Red Crescent. At the same time, the EU agreed with UNRWA reached an agreement with UNRWA on an audit to be made by EU appointed external experts.[134]
Spanish Foreign ministerJosé Manuel Albares stated on 29 January 2024 that Spain "will not change our relationship with UNRWA, although we are closely following the internal investigation and the outcome it may yield for the actions of a dozen people out of about 30,000"[135] because the UNRWA is an agency "essential to alleviate the humanitarian situation".[136] The same day, Spanish Social Affairs ministerPablo Bustinduy called out the suspension of UNRWA funds by other western countries "an unjustifiable collective punishment of the Palestinian people".[137]
On 29 February 2024 at least 118 people were killed and 760 injured after Israeli forces opened fire on civilians seeking food from aid trucks near to the Al-Nabulsi Roundabout on the coastal Al-Rashid Street in Gaza City[138][139]
Following the incident, French foreign minister Stéphane Séjourné stated, "We will demand explanations and there will need to be an independent investigation."."[140][141] The European External Action Service stated that many of the dead and wounded were "hit by Israeli army fire" and called for an independent investigation.[142] The office of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for an "impartial international investigation on this tragic event".[143] Foreign ministers of Belgium, Germany and Italy condemned the attack, while Spanish foreign minister claimed that this "underlines the urgency of a ceasefire"[144]
On 1 April 2024 Israeli drones targeted a three-car convoy belonging to the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in the Gaza Strip, killing seven aid workers.[145] The attack occurred despite the WCK having coordinated their route with the Israeli military, which both parties have acknowledged[146]
The attack drew widespread international condemnation[147] and led the World Central Kitchen to pause its operations in the Gaza Strip, along with other humanitarian and aid organizations operating there.[148] Statements made by the Israeli ambassador in Poland on the incident led to a diplomatic spat between the two countries,[149] as Israel's ambassador to Poland Yacov Livne, a few hours after the shelling of the WCK convoy, made several posts on social media, rejecting accusations of committing a war crime made by Deputy Speaker of the Polish Sejm Krzysztof Bosak.[149][150] The ambassador wrote that the "extreme right and left in Poland" were accusing Israel of "intentional murder in the attack."[149] He ended his statement by saying that anti-Semites will always remain anti-Semites.[150] The ambassador's statement sparked outrage. Polish President Andrzej Duda described it as "not very fortunate and, in short, outrageous," while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he did not approve of the way the ambassador spoke about the shelling of the convoy and that he expected words of apology.[150] The incident led to the ambassador being summoned to the Polish Foreign Ministry on 5 April 2024.[151]
Belgium, Ireland and Cyprus called for an immediate investigation on the incident,[152] while Spanish Prime minister Pedro Sánchez said he was "expecting and demanding an explanation from the Israeli government" for the deaths of the seven aid workers.[153] After the explanations given by the IDF and Prime Minister Netanyahu, Sánchez deemed them "completely unacceptable and insufficient".[154]
The attack was the biggest drone strike in history,[160][161] intended to saturate anti-missile defences, and the first time since 1991 Iraqi attacks that Israel was attacked directly by the military of another state.[162] Iran's attacks have drawn criticism from the United Nations, several world leaders, and political analysts, who warned that they risk escalating into a full-blown regional war.[163][164][165][166]
Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the Iranian attack as "unjustifiable and highly irresponsible", and assured that "Germany stands by Israel".[172] French President Emmanuel Macron, along with other leaders, put pressure on Israel not to respond to the attack, in order to avoid escalation in the regional conflict.[173] Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell "strongly condemned" Iran's attack and called it "an unprecedented escalation and a grave threat to regional security".[174]
The Rafah offensive is an ongoing offensive in the city of Rafah, the southernmost area of the Gaza Strip, part of Israel's invasion of the strip during the Israel–Hamas war. When ceasefire talks faltered, Israel entered Rafah on 6 May 2024,[175] taking control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing.[176] after ordering the evacuation of Palestinians from eastern Rafah to areas in central Gaza and Khan Yunis.[177] Later that day, Hamas accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar, but Israel did not accept the ceasefire deal and indicated that the offensive would continue before any pause. Israel conducted airstrikes on Rafah the same day, and seized the Rafah crossing.[175]
This operation triggered the response of many EU leaders, mostly condemning the actions as "alarming" and "concerning". Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stated, "Reports of an Israeli military offensive on Rafah are alarming. It would have catastrophic consequences worsening the already dire humanitarian situation and the unbearable civilian toll.[178]" Previously on 19 February, every single member state of the European Union, with the exception of Hungary, asked the Israeli military not to take military action in Rafah.[179]
Belgium: Prime MinisterAlexander De Croo has warned that Israel's incursion "would cause a further unmitigated humanitarian catastrophe and result in the death of numerous innocent civilians, again mostly children and women."[180]
Denmark: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a statement on X, said that "Denmark shares the concern of EU and others regarding a potential Israeli military offensive in Rafah where more than half of Gaza's population is seeking refuge."[181]
France: Foreign MinisterStéphane Séjourné stated an Israeli assault on Rafah would be unjustified.[182] In a phone call, Emmanuel Macron told Netanyahu that he was opposed to a military invasion of Rafah.[183] On 16 February, Macron stated, "I share the fears of Jordan and Egypt of a forced and massive displacement of the population".[184]
Germany: Foreign MinisterAnnalena Baerbock stated, "Taking action now in Rafah, the last and most overcrowded place, as announced by the Israeli defence minister, would simply not be justifiable".[185] On 14 February, Baerbock stated, "If the Israeli army were to launch an offensive on Rafah... it would be a humanitarian catastrophe."[186] On 17 February, Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed Germany's support for Israel's "security", but also warned Israeli leaders to abide by international law.[187] On 16 March, Scholz stated, "There is a danger that a comprehensive offensive in Rafah will result in many terrible civilian casualties, which must be strictly prohibited".[188]
Ireland: Micheál Martin stated an Israeli invasion of Rafah would entail "grave violations of international humanitarian law".[189]
Italy: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated, "We will reiterate our opposition to military action on the ground by Israel in Rafah that could have even more catastrophic consequences for the civilians".[190]
Luxembourg: Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel told Israel they risked losing "the last support they have in the world" if they attacked Rafah.[191]
Slovenia: The Prime Minister Robert Golob stated, "There is a common consensus in saying that we should do everything we can to prevent an attack on Rafah."[194]
Spain: The country signed a joint statement with the government of Ireland stating, "The expanded Israeli military operation in the Rafah area poses a grave and imminent threat that the international community must urgently confront".[195]
Position in international bodies
A map that shows the countries and their respective voting in the United Nations General Assemblyresolution ES-10/21 calling for an "immediate and sustained" humanitarian truce and cessation of hostilities.
In favor
Against
Abstentions
Absent
Non member
A map that shows the countries and their respective voting in the United Nations General Assemblyresolution ES-10/22 calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel–Hamas war, "immediate and unconditional" hostage release, "ensuring humanitarian access" and that "all parties comply with their obligations under international law"
On 27 October, the United Nations General Assembly held a vote that saw 120 countries pass a resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire and demanding aid be allowed into Gaza. Eight EU countries — Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain — voted for the resolution, while 15 EU members abstained from that vote. Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Hungary voted against the resolution.[198] On 12 December, the UN voted again a similar resolution, with only Austria and the Czech Republic voting against while Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Poland and Sweden voted in favor for the first time.
On 18 January 2024, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire, although conditional on Hamas releasing the hostages they made on the 7 October attacks, as included by the European People's Party as an unnegotiable condition for their support,[208] resulting in 312 MEPs voting in favor, 131 voting against and 72 abstaining.[208]
On 14 February 2024, Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez along with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar demanded in a joint letter to the EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell to assess whether Israel is complying with the obligations regarding human rights stipulated in the EU–Israel Association Agreement, and to take immediate measures in case of a breach in the agreement[209][210]
On 22 March, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and Malta announced they were ready to recognise the State of Palestine in a joint statement as the best way to achieve "long-lasting peace in the region".[211] On 10 April, prior to a meeting with the heads of government of Norway, Ireland, Portugal, Slovenia and Belgium to push for a joint position, Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez stated that recognizing Palestinian statehood "would redound in the geopolitical interest of Europe”[212][213] A few days later after a meeting between newly appointed Taoiseach Simon Harris and Prime Minister Sánchez both reiterated their intention to forge an alliance of countries willing to recognize Palestinian statehood.[214] Newly elected Prime Minister of PortugalLuís Montenegro later announced that his country would not go as far as Spain to recognize Palestinian statehood without a broader European common position.[215]
On 1 March, Nicaragua announced that it was taking Germany to the International Criminal Court over weaponry supply to Israel and the suspended German funding of the UNRWA, accusing the country of allowing genocide to happen.[216] However, on 30 April the Court ruled that no emergency orders to stop Germany's arms sales to Israel was in need.[217]
Ireland and Spain, along with non-EU member Norway, officially recognized Palestinian statehood on 28 May 2024,[218] followed by Slovenia on 5 June 2024.[219] Following the Israeli attack on an UNRWA school on 6 June 2024, Spain announced that it was joining the South Africa's case against Israel before the International Criminal Court.[220]
Public opinion
According to a YouGov poll conducted in seven Western European nations in December 2023, the most pro-Israeli country was Germany, where 29% of respondents said they sympathized more with Israel, rather than Palestine (12%). However, the poll showed that sympathy primarily for Israel dipped across the countries surveyed. On the contrary, Spain was shown to be the most pro-Palestinian country, with 27% sympathizing with that side more, compared to 19% for Israel. In the same way, Spain (59%), followed by Italy (56%), tended to see Israel's attacks on Gaza in response to the October 7 attack as unjustified, while France was evenly divided.[221]
YouGov repeated the polling among these seven nations in July 2024, finding a decline in public sympathy for Israel and an increase in sympathy for Palestine in all countries. The most pro-Israeli countries in July were France and Sweden, where 21% of their population identified as pro-Israel; but in Sweden a higher share said they are pro-Palestinian (25%) and in France the two sides were equal in size. Sympathy for Israel fell sharply to 19% in Germany, although the rise in the pro-Palestinian population was only modest, to 15% — the lowest percentage among the countries studied. Spain remained the most pro-Palestinian country, with 34% of the population taking this position, and the pro-Israel side dipping to 14% in July. Italy was the least pro-Israeli country, with 7% of the population taking that position, and, along with Britain, the second most pro-Palestinian, with 28%.[222]
In a separate poll conducted commissioned by the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy in March, YouGov measured other views pertaining the war in five European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden. Between 33% and 49% of the population in these countries endorsed the view that Israel was committing genocide during the Gaza war, while 17% and 26% took the opposite view. A plurality of Germans (44%) and Italians (36%) believed their country was taking a pro-Israeli stance, while in Belgium (30%) and Sweden (29%) their governments were seen as being neutral. Only in Belgium did a higher percentage of the population believe their country favoured Palestine (19%) than favoured Israel (16%). In all five countries, a plurality of the population said they would prefer their government take an impartial stance, this being the case especially in Germany (37%). Between 12% and 24% of the population would like their government to be more supportive of Palestine, while 4% to 9% would like to see more support for Israel.[223]
In all of these countries, between 50% and 65% of the population would approve of an arms embargo on Israel, while only 17% to 28% of the population would oppose such a measure. Legally prosecuting Israeli leaders for war crimes is supported by 49% to 62% of the population, and opposed by 16% to 25%.[223]
According to a poll conducted by the Forsa Institute on behalf of German newspaper Die Welt in December 2023, 45% of respondents in Germany agreed with the statement, "Israel's military action in the Gaza Strip is all in all appropriate", whereas 43% disagreed. In the immediate aftermath of the Hamas attack on Israel, 44% of Germans said that their country had "a special obligation towards Israel"; however, in December 2023, that number dropped to 37%.[224] In March 2024, 69% of Germans stated Israel's actions in Gaza were unjustified.[225]
According to an opinion poll aired by Greek TV channel Star Channel two days after the visit of Prime Minister of GreeceKyriakos Mitsotakis to Israel, 18.4% of Greeks were in favor of a pro-Israel position, whereas 11.5% wanted Greece to be openly pro-Palestinian.[228]
Protests in member countries
Since the October 7 attacks, as a slate of government buildings across Europe were lit up in blue-and-white in solidarity with Israel, and several EU countries, such as Germany and France, pro-Palestinian rallies have been banned in the name of ensuring public order and preventing the spread of anti-Semitism, receiving some criticism of free speech violations.[229] However, since the start of the Israeli invasion of the Gaza strip, many EU countries have seen widespread protests in support of Palestine and against Israel's actions.
Protest in front of the European Commission branch in Barcelona, 7 January 2024
Austria
On 13 January 2024, a pro-Palestine march was held in Vienna as part of the "Global day of action".[230]
Belgium
On 10 December 2023, about 4,000 people in Brussels waved Belgian flags and demonstrated against antisemitism amid concern over the rising number of antisemitic incidents in Europe from the Israel-Hamas war.[231]
On 21 January 2024, protesters in Brussels demonstrated against the war and called for a permanent ceasefire.[232] Ahead of a foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, a group of 100 prominent individuals, including former Irish president Mary Robinson and former Swedish foreign minister Margot Wallstrom, called on the EU to prevent the "unprecedented rate of civilian killing" in Gaza.[233]
Cyprus
On 15 October a pro-Palestinian protest was held in Larnaca.[234] On 19 October, a protest in support of Gaza was held in Nicosia.[235] Another pro-Palestinian protest was organised by the Cyprus Peace Council on 20 October attended by 2,000 protestors as well as MPs, mayors, the general secretary of AKEL and the Palestinian ambassador to Cyprus.[236][237] On 17 October a pro-Israel rally was organised by the Israeli community.[238] Protests were held at the UK's RAF Akrotiri base on 14 and 15 January 2024 after the base was used to launch airstrikes on Yemen.[239][240]
Denmark
"Jews for a free Palestine" banner in Copenhagen, 2 February 2024
Protesters marched in support of Gaza in Copenhagen on 2 February 2024, chanting "Free Palestine" and "Palestine will never die".[241]
Pro-Palestinian protest in Helsinki, Finland, 21 October
In reaction to Khaled Meshaal's call for a "day of rage", the government put a prohibition on pro-Palestinian protests. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said that such gatherings were likely to cause disturbances to public order.[242]
On 14 October, French-Algerian journalist Taha Bouhafs[fr] was arrested while covering a pro-Palestine protest in Paris. He told +972 Magazine that people were getting "strangled by the police", and that the police fined him for participating in an "illegal demonstration" despite showing his press card. He also claimed that the police threatened to break his legs if they saw him again at a protest.[244]
On 22 October, France held its first authorized pro-Palestine rally, drawing 15,000 participants who chanted, "Gaza, Paris is with you."[245]
On 12 November, over 100,000 people marched against antisemitism in Paris. Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, the heads of France's upper and lower houses of parliament, former presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy, and several leading politicians joined the demonstrators. However, the presence of the far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen, whose party has had a history of antisemitism, caused criticism from some participants such as Borne, who is the daughter of Holocaust survivors.[246] On 21 January 2024, Paris police stopped and dispersed an automobile parade waving Palestinian flags.[247] On 22 January, MP Louis Boyard was verbally assaulted and threatened by a pro-Israeli activist.[248] A mass demonstration occurred in Marseille in support of Palestine on 18 February.[249]
Germany
Pro-Israel protest in Hanover, 10 OctoberPro-Palestine protest in Berlin, 4 November
In Berlin, authorities banned a pro-Palestinian rally from being held.[250] A number of spontaneous demonstrations protesting the bombing of Gaza took place across the country, but were forcefully broken up by police.[251] Germany banned fundraising, the displaying of the Palestinian flag and the wearing of the keffiyeh.[252]
On 12 October 2023, 200 demonstrators gathered at Syntagma Square in Athens to show solidarity with Palestine.[256] A day later, 2,000 protestors including Palestinians, members of Muslim communities, left-wing and anarchist groups marched towards the Israeli embassy.[257] On 29 October, a crowd of 5,000 demonstrated in Athens, calling for an end to the "Gaza massacre."[258] On 28 March 2024, pro-Palestinian protesters blocked a tank while in a military parade for Greece’s Independence Day in Athens.[259]
Ireland
Pro-Palestine protest in Dublin, Ireland, 18 November
Thousands of people marched in cities and towns across Ireland, including Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Ennis, Galway and Limerick in support of Palestine and against Israel's attacks on Gaza and the continuing occupation of Palestine.[260][261] Residents of Ballina, the ancestral hometown of US president Joe Biden, splashed red paint and wrote "Genocide Joe" over a mural of the president's face.[262]
Italy
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched in Rome, carrying a large Palestinian flag and chanting slogans in support of Palestine.[257] On 17 November, a long Palestinian flag was hung from the Leaning Tower of Pisa during a pro-Palestinian protest in the city.[263] On 27 January 2024, In Milan, police clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters despite an official ban on protests on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.[264]
Latvia
A pro-Palestine procession planned on 6 January 2024 by the "For a Free Palestine" movement was prohibited by the Riga City Council due to a perceived potential threat to public safety.[265]
Luxembourg
On 13 January 2024, as a part of the "global day of action", protestors gathered in front of the US embassy in Luxembourg City to demand an end to the Israeli war in Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.[266]
Netherlands
Anti-war demonstrations with Palestinian flags in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
A group of students rallied in The Hague on 13 October to show solidarity with Palestine,[citation needed] followed by a 15,000-strong pro-Palestinian protest in Amsterdam on 15 October.[267] On 23 October, activists opposed to Israel's actions in Gaza occupied the entrance to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, demanding action against Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes.[268] On 21 December, civil servants demanded a truce.[269] In January 2024, a billboard campaign displayed messages regarding the war, including, "Every ten minutes one Palestinian child dies."[270] On 13 January 2024, A protest organised by Plant een Olijfboom (Plant an Olive Tree) foundation was held in Amsterdam, honoring the children of Gaza by placing around 10,000 pairs of children's shoes in Dam Square, representing one Palestinian child killed by Israeli air strikes.[271]
On 12 January 2024, hundreds of pro-Israel protesters carrying Dutch and Israeli flags gathered outside the International Court of Justice. Hundreds of Palestinian supporters also gathered to watch the genocide hearings on a large screen less than a hundred metres away from the pro-Israel group.[272] A healthcare workers collective protested against Gaza's healthcare collapse with five demands: an end to Israel's bombing of hospitals; an end to the killing of healthcare workers; end of arms sales to Israel; the release of abducted healthcare workers; and immediate access to medical supplies.[273] During a visit by Isaac Herzog to the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam, Amnesty International posted detour signs around the museum directing Herzog to The Hague.[274]
On 17 March 2024 people lined up thousands of shoes dedicated to the 13,000 children that lost their lives because of the war in a public square in Utrecht.[275]
On 21 October, a pro-Palestine rally was held in Bucharest and attended by over 1,000 demonstrators,[282] including Twitch streamer and left-wing activist Silviu Istrate.[283]
Slovenia
On 13 October, pro-Palestinian protests were organised in Ljubljana.
Pro-Palestine protest in Ljubljana, Slovenia, 13 October
Spain
Pro-Israel protest in Barcelona, 15 October Pro-Palestine protest in Madrid, 20 January 2024
On 9 October, pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid.[284] On 13 October, protestors rallied at the Columbus Monument in Barcelona.[citation needed] On 8 December, over 3000 pro-Palestine protesters in Guernica formed a massive mosaic with a human chain depicting the Palestinian flag to express their solidarity.[285] On 27 January 2024, an estimated 20,000 marched in support of Palestine in Madrid.[286] At least six cabinet ministers joined a march for a ceasefire in Madrid.[287]
Sweden
As of November 2023, numerous demonstrations have been held since the war began, both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli.[288]
On 7 January 2024, protesters demonstrated against the war outside the US Embassy in Stockholm.[289] On 28 January, pro-Palestinian protests were held in Helsingborg, Malmö, and Gothenburg.[290] On 29 February, Swedish MEP Abir Al-Sahlani used her allotted speaking time during the parliamentary session to stage a silent protest.[291]
Student protests
Many European universities have seen protests in their campus, with police being forced to intervene in some of them.
On April 25, students from Sorbonne University called on the French government to help Palestinians.[292] In the Netherlands, Police clashed with pro-Palestinian students as thousands marched in Amsterdam a day after riot police violently broke up an encampment at Amsterdam University.[293] The UvA had to cancel classes for two days following violent clashes going on between the students and the police.[294]
In Germany, police broke up a protest by pro-Palestinian students who had occupied Berlin’s Free University, an intervention supported by Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner, while in Munich there is an ongoing conflict between the town council and students camped at the Ludwig Maximilian University.[295]
In Italy, students at the University of Bologna, one of the world’s oldest universities, set up a tent encampment, as the same happened in Rome and Naples.[296]
In Spain, student protests have arosen on the University of Valencia campus, the University of Barcelona and the University of the Basque Country,[297] while students from the Complutense University of Madrid and the Autonomous University of Madrid, have announced they would step up protests in collaboration with the rest of Madrid public universities in the coming days.[298] The governing body of the Spanish universities (CRUE) announced on May 9 that they would "review and, if necessary, suspend" collaboration agreement with universities and research centers from Israel not committed to international humanitarian laws,[299] as well as expressing solidarity with those students in protest.
In Ireland, following five days of protests, the Trinity College of Dublin agreed to cut ties with Israeli companies.[300]
↑ It is unclear how many of them were killed by friendly fire or as a result of the Hannibal Directive. Per Israeli sources cited by Israeli website Ynet, there was an "immense and complex quantity" of friendly-fire incidents during the 7 October attack.[2][3][4][5]
↑ These casualty numbers exclude the invading Palestinian militants who died in the subsequent fighting with Israeli armed personnel.
↑ Internationally recognized as Syrian territory, occupied and claimed by Israel, recognized as Israeli by the United States
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↑ Zitun, Yoav (12 December 2023). "One-fifth of troop fatalities in Gaza due to friendly fire or accidents, IDF reports". Ynetnews. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023. Casualties fell as a result of friendly fire on October 7, but the IDF believes that beyond the operational investigations of the events, it would not be morally sound to investigate these incidents due to the immense and complex quantity of them that took place in the kibbutzim and southern Israeli communities due to the challenging situations the soldiers were in at the time.
↑ Abu Shahma, Mohammad; Asrar, Shakeeb; Antonopoulos, Konstantinos. "Under the rubble: The missing in Gaza". aljazeera.com. Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
↑ Jhaveri, Ashka; Soltani, Amin; Moore, Johanna; Tyson, Kathryn; Braverman, Alexandra; Carl, Nicholas (7 January 2024). "Iran Update, January 7, 2024". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
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