EU Foreign Ministers Meet on Israel-Palestinian Crisis

Foreign ministers of the European Union are exchanging views in a video conference on the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza. Merkel emphasized Germany’s support for Israel. Palestinians will launch a general strike and demonstrations on Tuesday.

Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, confirmed that given the escalating tensions between Israel and Palestinians, EU foreign ministers will hold an extraordinary video conference on Tuesday, May 18 (Ordibehesht 28).

In this conference, they will discuss how the European Union should respond to reduce violence in this crisis.

According to reports from the German section of the European Commission, Borrell has been in contact with high-ranking officials from both sides since the clashes in Israel and Gaza Strip began.

He has held discussions with, among others, Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, and Gabi Ashkenazi, Israel’s Foreign Minister.

Borrell has also exchanged views with representatives of important regional countries, including Sameh Shukri, Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, Jordan’s Foreign Minister, and Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Turkey’s Foreign Minister.

According to reports from the German section of the European Commission, the head of the EU’s diplomatic service has condemned Hamas and other Palestinian groups’ use of missiles in attacks on civilian targets in Israel in all his contacts.

He stressed that Israel has the right to protect its people against such attacks, but must take proportionate measures and prevent civilian casualties.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, also condemned “reckless Hamas attacks on Israeli territory” in a tweet.

She called on both sides to end the violence and protect civilians.

Merkel’s Call with Netanyahu

Germany’s Chancellor strongly condemned the continued missile attacks from Gaza in a phone conversation with Israel’s Prime Minister.

Stephen Seibert, a spokesman for the German government, said that Angela Merkel assured Benjamin Netanyahu that Germany supports Israel and emphasized the country’s right to defend itself against attacks.

The German Chancellor, referring to the killing of civilians, expressed hope that this conflict will end as soon as possible.

He also stressed that he will prevent antisemitic movements in Germany.

Netanyahu’s office announced that Israel’s Prime Minister thanked Merkel for his government’s efforts against anti-Jewish forces in Germany.

General Strike

According to the German news agency, Palestinians have called for a general nationwide strike on Tuesday, May 18. The news agency reported, citing local media, that this strike is being held in protest of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, attacks on residents of the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, and violence by Israeli settlers.

Earlier, news agencies of the Islamic Republic had reported that the “Committee for Monitoring the Affairs of Arab Residents in the Occupied Territories” had decided to declare a general strike at its meeting in the city of Jaffa.

The reports also mentioned that the Fatah movement has also called for a general strike in the West Bank and other Palestinian territories on Tuesday.

Protest demonstrations are expected to be held in all major cities and checkpoints between Israel and the West Bank.

During the clashes of recent days, at least 200 Gaza residents, including 59 children, and ten people in Israel, including one child, have been killed.

Source: DW