BRUSSEL (Palestine Foundation Information Center) The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, stated that Israel’s goal is to take full control of the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the urgent need to increase pressure on Tel Aviv.
Her remarks came during a session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday, where, for the first time, Israel’s actions in Gaza were described as “genocide.”
The session, titled “Stopping the Genocide in Gaza: Time for European Sanctions,” was initiated by The Left group in the European Parliament, which includes 46 MEPs, and was attended by Kallas, who faced strong criticism from lawmakers.
Kallas pointed out that Israel’s actions have gone beyond mere self-defense.
She affirmed that the blockade on food and medicine imposed on Palestinians in Gaza has not protected Israel, but instead undermined decades of humanitarian principles.
She highlighted that 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced, while those remaining are entirely dependent on humanitarian aid, stressing that the humanitarian situation is deteriorating.
Kallas said that Israel has used excessive force and destroyed civilian infrastructure, resulting in massive loss of life.
She continued: “Israel has declared that its goal is full control over the Gaza Strip. Any annexation, reduction, or alteration of territory constitutes a direct violation of international law.”
She added: “If all or part of Gaza’s civilian population is permanently displaced from their homes, this would also be a violation of international law.”
“Pressure on Israel must be increased. I will do that myself, as I have many times before.”
On May 20, the European Union, following a Dutch proposal, decided to review its Association Agreement with Israel, which grants Israel preferential trade benefits.
Kallas is expected to announce the results of this review at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on June 23.
Since October 7, 2023, with full US backing, Israel has committed genocidal crimes in Gaza, resulting in over 185,000 Palestinians killed or wounded, the majority of them women and children, more than 11,000 missing, and hundreds of thousands displaced.
