“Targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure with the express purpose of isolating men, women and children from water, electricity and heat are acts of pure terror and we must call them what they are.” These were the words with which Ursula von der LeyenPresident of the European Commission, addressed a Europe shaken by Russia’s bombing of Ukraine.

Today, many citizens are wondering where is the leadership and commitment to European values ​​that the Union demonstrated just over a year ago. Europe’s double standards in the face of the Gaza conflict, which is already “one of the darkest chapters in the history of the Palestinian people”, according to the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterreshas brought its authority under control in the face of the turbulent geopolitical scenario that is shaking our democracies.

The strongest and strongest condemnation of the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7 and the demand for the unconditional release of all those abducted should not prevent us from demanding an immediate and lasting ceasefire from Israel during the armed response in Gaza and condemning the collective punishment suffered by defenseless civilians in the Strip.

Compliance with international humanitarian law, and with it respect for the lives of civilians, humanitarian personnel and journalists, is a requirement that is applicable and enforceable in all states of the world without exception. This is what distinguishes democracies from authoritarian regimes. And the EU has not yet been able to define a common and consistent position condemning the violations of international law committed by Israel and advocating a stable and lasting ceasefire.

The brief end to the week-long humanitarian truce between Israel and Hamas to exchange hostages for prisoners, which has been frequently disrupted by attacks and attacks and was disrupted early yesterday – it is unclear if or when it may be renewed – reminds us that we are still experiencing escalating violence in the Middle East. And that the consequences of the occupation persist. Over the past month, Israeli military incursions and violence in the Hamas-free West Bank have increased markedly. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported not only increased access restrictions by Israeli authorities, but also numerous attacks by settlers from illegal settlements on Palestinians and their property.

Europe has a critical role to play in responding to urgent humanitarian challenges in the Gaza Strip; It is not for nothing that it is the largest donor of humanitarian aid in the territory, with a total contribution of up to 100 million euros to help the besieged civilian population. Flights carrying hundreds of tons of humanitarian aid also continue to depart for the Rafah border crossing, the only currently open land border with the Gaza Strip, to address the huge shortage throughout the territory of the most basic needs: drinking water, food, medical instruments.

But like his own Janez LenarcicThe European Commissioner for Crisis Management, stressed at the last plenary meeting of the European Parliament, in addition to providing humanitarian assistance, the EU must also propose radical changes in its efforts to return the political solution to the conflict to the right track. And this necessarily implies revival and movement towards a solution to the two-state problem.

The conflict between Israel and Palestine is doomed to rage until the parties commit themselves to peaceful coexistence.

The conflict between Israel and Palestine is doomed to flare up again until the parties commit themselves to peaceful coexistence, which necessarily involves ending the illegal annexation of Palestinian territories by Israel and returning and respecting the 1967 borders. What is at stake for the entire international community – and above all for the European Union, if it wants to strengthen its role as a decisive political player at the global level – is to activate all available diplomatic mechanisms that meet this goal.

Ending the conflict and a two-state solution requires a paradigm shift that obliges the EU as well as its member states. As long as countries like Spain continue to exploit the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for political gain, we will be doing a disservice to the prospects for peace in the Middle East. Using a statement from a terrorist organization such as Hamas to discredit a political opponent, as the new People’s Caucus Representative to Congress did by citing statements Sanchez in Israel they use domestic politics in a vile way. Ending the violence in the Gaza Strip and making the two-state solution a reality is a matter of human rights and respect for international legitimacy that transcends left and right. And in the face of countless reproaches that can be brought against the socialist government on many other issues, turning this issue into a partisan struggle is irresponsible absurdity.

Hamas is a terrorist organization and the executioner of its people. Nothing you can say or do has any legitimacy. The international community owes Hamas nothing. But we owe it to Gaza, destroyed by rockets, and to the Palestinian people, who, 75 years later, continue to strive for a just and lasting solution that ends the occupation and restores their rights.

How the poet addressed his audience Mahmoud Darwish Already in 2004, people could only be born in one place. However, we can die several times in other places: in exile, in prisons and in our homeland, which has turned into a nightmare of occupation and oppression.

Soraya Rodriguez She is a member of the European Parliament as part of the Ciudadanos delegation.