A European Union naval mission to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea from missile attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen is expected to be launched on February 19, the bloc’s top diplomat announced on Wednesday. #EuropeNews
Quickly? By EU standards, I suppose, but this is the furthest thing from “quick” in the real world. We are about a month late compared to the UK and the USA.
but they can’t do the minimum decent thing and say “we condemn Israel’s atrocities” in the UN
The EU is a permanent observer in the UN and as such doesn’t have any voting rights. The common foreign policy is decided by the Council and requires unanimity so every member state has veto power. As such it’s practically impossible to come to a conclusive decision on divisive matters such as the current Gaza conflict.
I’m more disgusted with the member states stance on Israel; not only do most of them refuse to condemn Israel, they openly stand with Israel. I’m especially disgusted with Germany.
The EU as an entity could have taken on more of a mediating role in the conflict, but has instead opted to echo the US’s rhetoric. And this is what disappoints me the most.
I can agree with that. Something that looked particularly bad was von der Leyen openly supporting Israel, in contrast with what had been decided by the rest of the EU institutions. Basically she took initiative and used her position to support her own agenda rather than the one agreed upon by the institution she was representing. (source, albeit soft paywalled)
A more direct approach in foreign policy is sorely needed for our continent, but I think we are still going to have to wait a few years before we can see it.
Quickly? By EU standards, I suppose, but this is the furthest thing from “quick” in the real world. We are about a month late compared to the UK and the USA.
The EU is a permanent observer in the UN and as such doesn’t have any voting rights. The common foreign policy is decided by the Council and requires unanimity so every member state has veto power. As such it’s practically impossible to come to a conclusive decision on divisive matters such as the current Gaza conflict.
True enough.
I’m more disgusted with the member states stance on Israel; not only do most of them refuse to condemn Israel, they openly stand with Israel. I’m especially disgusted with Germany.
The EU as an entity could have taken on more of a mediating role in the conflict, but has instead opted to echo the US’s rhetoric. And this is what disappoints me the most.
I can agree with that. Something that looked particularly bad was von der Leyen openly supporting Israel, in contrast with what had been decided by the rest of the EU institutions. Basically she took initiative and used her position to support her own agenda rather than the one agreed upon by the institution she was representing. (source, albeit soft paywalled)
A more direct approach in foreign policy is sorely needed for our continent, but I think we are still going to have to wait a few years before we can see it.