By Selen Valente
BRUSSELS (AA) - A former EU diplomat to the Middle East criticized the bloc’s stance on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Associate Senior Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) James Moran told Anadolu that he did not "consider Israel’s acts within the scope of 'self-defense'."
He described them as "callous, disproportionate, and contrary to international law," and added that Gazans were being collectively punished.
"History shows us that there will never be a military solution to this conflict. The only way forward is to forge a just peace within a viable two-state solution, based on the tenets set out in Oslo 30 years ago," Moran said, expressing his pessimism over the current Israeli government's position.
"The initial response of many EU leaders to October 7th and its aftermath, while understandably sympathizing with the loss of innocent lives in Israel and the country’s right to defend itself, failed to adequately stress the EU’s long-standing commitments to international humanitarian law and the two-state solution," Moran opined.
He added that comparing Ukraine with the Middle East conflict was difficult due to their different nature.
"But the West’s stance on Gaza certainly has not helped it to counter accusations of double standards," the former diplomat said.
The Israeli army has launched air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.
At least 9,770 Palestinians, including 4,800 children and 2,550 women, have been killed in the Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip. Israeli death toll is nearly 1,600, according to official figures.
Besides the large number of casualties and massive displacements, basic supplies are running low for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents due to the Israeli siege.