By Gulcin Kazan Doger
ISTANBUL (AA) — An Irish member of the European Parliament criticized the EU for hypocrisy on the issue of Palestine.
In an interview with Anadolu, Mick Wallace regretted that Israel had the support of not just the US but also the EU.
"The violence is directly linked to the occupation," the MEP said. "If we want to stop the violence, we have to stop the occupation."
He also blamed EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a biased stance.
“They (the EU) are literally giving Israel a carte blanche to commit atrocities against the people of Palestine. I mean, are they going to go to Gaza, or do the people of Gaza not matter?" Wallace lashed out at some members of the EU for supporting "Israel's decision to engage in collective punishment of the people of Gaza."
The MEP compared Russia's actions in Ukraine last year to that of Israel’s now.
"But now, when Israel is doing even worse in Gaza, she (von der Leyen) refuses to call it out. And it just exposes the hypocrisy of the European Union."
- ‘Ethnic cleansing’
Wallace, at the same time, recalled that EU foreign policy chief Josep Burrell has not taken the same position, and explained: "He highlighted the fact that collective punishment is against international law. And he highlighted the fact that Israelis had cut off electricity, water, and food to the people of Palestine which is a breach of international law, and also a war crime."
The MEP decried von der Leyen's "horrific" statements and added: "We had an event here on Wednesday to commemorate the loss of life in Israel, and they refused to mention the loss of life in Gaza. Now, you kind of ask yourself, 'How could an institution that claims to respect human rights, how could they claim that they are genuine in their concern for the human rights of people'?"
Wallace also denounced the "ethnic cleansing" of the Palestinians in Gaza, and the support of the EU for it.
"The occupation is illegal. The persecution of the Palestinians is illegal. There isn't going to be peace until there's justice. The Palestinians have to get justice," Wallace said.
The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis, with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian cease-fire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”
At least 3,785 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.