Brussels, Belgium: Mr. Leo Varadkar, Irish Prime Minister, has urged EU countries to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
Speaking at the EU Summit in Brussels, Mr. Varadkar stated that, “I think the EU has lost credibility because of our inability to take a stronger and more united position on Israel and Palestine. We have lost credibility in the Global South, which actually is most of the world, because of what is perceived to be double standards. And there’s some truth in that, quite frankly.”
Before the summit, Mr. Varadkar and the Prime Ministers of Spain, Belgium, and Malta wrote to the European Council President, Mr. Charles Michel. They requested to host a “serious debate” about the Israel-Hamas war and the “humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.”
“We must call urgently for all the parties to declare a lasting humanitarian cease-fire that can lead to an end of hostilities,” the four leaders wrote.
The comments were made a few days after the majority of nations represented at the United Nations General Assembly voted in favour of a resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire.
According to Palestinian health officials, more than 18,000 people have been killed and nearly 50,000 others wounded in the Israeli assault on Gaza since October 7.
Israel launched its onslaught in response to a raid by Hamas fighters from Gaza who killed about 1,200 people and took 240 others captive in southern Israel, as per the Israeli authorities.
Mr. Varadkar emphasized that a ceasefire could lead “to a new peace process and Palestinian statehood, which is the only way to secure justice and security for everyone living in the region.”
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