EU must speak 'with one voice' regarding #Gaza, Belgian foreign minister #Lahbib #Belgium

"We are all in favor of peace, whether in the Middle East or Ukraine, but we must work for a just peace, a peace that is not an abdication, a peace that does not mean a victory for those who still believe that the rule of the strongest can prevail," Hadja Lahbib told reporters before attending the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.

"The EU must speak with one voice and we are in a position where we can only defend the rule of law, democracy, and this is a decision of an international court of justice, so we have to follow that," the minister added.

She also condemned the Israeli parliament’s (Knesset) decision last week to reject the establishment of a Palestinian state, saying that it would be an "existential threat" to Israel.

Lahbib stressed the need for a durable and just peace, and a peace process that would lead to the two-state solution.

Welcoming the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on West Bank settlements, she said: "We invite the Israeli authorities to comply with this ICJ decision."

The EU foreign policy chief, for his part, criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for bending history and court opinions in his country’s favor.

Netanyahu's government rejected the recent advisory opinion of the ICJ on West Bank settlements, Josep Borrell told reporters on his arrival at the meeting.

"Well, you can interpret history whatever you want, but we are talking about international law, and you will respect international law," he lashed out.

He stressed that the advisory opinion said the "occupation of the Palestinian territories in the West Bank is fully illegal and it has to stop."

The ICJ, "the highest legal body of the United Nations," sent a "very clear message," according to Borrell.

"Politics have been unable to look for a solution, but the court is not there to implement their opinion. Opinions have to be implemented by the political powers," Borrell slammed.

The EU foreign policy chief also deplored the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip under Israeli attacks, including "17,000 orphans, almost 40,000 people being killed."

"In order to rebuild Gaza, it will need 10 years of taking rubble out,” Borrell said, and noted that the cease-fire plan backed by US President Joe Biden has not been implemented yet.

The EU official vowed that during the meeting, he would "put on the table again" the possible actions to take.

The top UN court ruled on Friday that Israel should end its occupation of the Palestinian territories "as rapidly as possible," while also calling on Tel Aviv to make full reparations for its "internationally wrongful acts."

The court found multiple breaches of international law by Israel, including activities that amounted to apartheid.

Netanyahu, for his part, said on X: "The Jewish people are not occupiers in their own land, including in our eternal capital Jerusalem nor in Judea and Samaria (West Bank), our historical homeland."

"No absurd opinion in The Hague can deny this historical truth or the legal right of Israelis to live in their own communities in our ancestral home," he added.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry also rejected the court’s opinion, calling it "fundamentally wrong."

Since Tel Aviv launched its brutal war on Oct. 7, over 38,900 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, most of them women and children, while more than 89,600 others are injured, according to Gaza’s local health authorities.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which in its latest ruling has ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its operation in the southern city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on 6 May.

Situation in Ukraine

"70% of the power generation capacity in Ukraine is being destroyed. We are in the summer, but in the winter, this will be much more difficult to bear, so I will call the member states to provide more support to rebuild and substitute the electricity grid with more power generation," the EU foreign policy chief said.

He also highlighted the need for Ukraine to intensify its air defense.

Lahbib, for her part, vowed continuous support for Ukraine in the long haul.

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#eudebates the unique initiative aiming to promote debate, dialogue, knowledge, participation and communication among citizens. #Gaza #Israel #Middle East #war #truce #hostages #Palestine #Hezbollah

[adrianashahrokh]

EU is over, the business is closing down and the damage is going to affect future generations from now on

[baccokaronte]

how can you talk about democracy with a person like vonderfaiser as EU commission President!?!??

[karenmorgan]

I am Irish grandmother and the EU is destroying Ireland I would vote to leave given opportunity

[Anna_YYZ]

EU must speak like polish lady did! 👏👏❤️finito

[raffiartinian]

How can rule of low work if majority European politicians are corrupt ?

[joemaloney]

The EU is a monster, especially when Ursula got reelected , madness

[Gfysad]

You have nothing Europe is falling apart to hell with the European Union 🇪🇺

[maximbrauer]

Zitat Victoria Nuland:"FUCK THE EU!!"

[marathaforindia]

Definitely your grandkids will be under shariya. if you don't wake up

[mv]

Not at all! EU must disappear from our lifes ❗️

[pkwong]

Speak with one voice So when the USA say to the Ezu "jump" the EU with one voice asks "how high"?

[johnmcenteggart]

NO!!! We are not one voice, you do not speak for me. The EU is the Fourth Reich, and we have lost our individual sovereignty. Ireland needs to follow the UK and leave.

[bigmike]

No ! The EU have to shut up . Go back to the EWG RULES !!!

[billbailey]

Every civization that gave women power lasted less than 100 years.

[MikeTheBike]

What the fcuk has Gaza got to do with a trading bloc?

[bmbardr]

EU needs to let their member states speak for themselves

[liviu]

All these women in power. Our ancestors must be turning in their graves.

[ygfiwmn]

Democratic is to vote!
Not one voice !!!

[csinz]

Genau, alle sprechen mit einer Stimme, nämlich mit der von vdL.😂

[bluecrossandblueshieldoffl]

The EU IS NOT INTERNATIONAL..ITS EUROPE ONLY