Europe must do more than express concern when human right laws are being violated in Palestine.
That’s according to ActionAid Ireland, who have criticised the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, for what it calls a lack of meaningful action against Israel.
The group said the EU cannot champion a rules based order, while failing to act on violations of humanitarian and human right laws.
Carlow native Karol Balfe, CEO with ActionAid Ireland says Israel hasn’t been punished for what it’s done to the Palestinian people; “What would really make a difference is the preferential trade agreement that the EU has with Israel, it has increased access to European markets, it has access to European grants and Israel has gone essentially unpunished for what it has done to the Palestinian people, the most important thing that the European Union could do would be to suspend its preferential trade agreement with Israel”.
Meanwhile, Kilkenny based Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion with Lynn Boylan have also criticised President von der Leyen’s speech for failing to address issues such as the cost of living and housing, whilst putting a greater focus on military and defence spending.
The MEP’s also said it was missed opportunity for the EU Commission President to take meaningful action against Israel in response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
MEP Funchion notes; “Ursula von der Leyen’s ‘State of the European Union’ address failed to address many of the issues that matter directly to people and communities across Ireland, and Europe more broadly.
“While farmers were mentioned in the speech, there was no commitment to the future funding of CAP, and no mention of LEADER. At a time when farmers and rural communities are under enormous pressure, we need to see a clear commitment for a standalone CAP and protections for LEADER.
“I am also disappointed that there was no specific commitment to protecting the European Social Fund (ESF) or to funding the Child Guarantee. These omissions are particularly concerning when set against the emphasis placed on spending for defence and militarisation in the speech.
“We in Sinn Féin are fundamentally opposed to the militarisation of the European Union. The EU’s role should be focused on improving people’s lives, reducing the cost of living, social progress and advocating for peace. This increasing focus on military spending and defence goes against everything the European Union was set up to achieve in the first place.
“When it comes to the next EU Budget, money should not be diverted from social, regional, agriculture and peace building programmes to fund this militarisation.
“Broad statements from von der Leyen on the cost of living and housing are not enough. We need to see meaningful action from an EU level to deliver for those in need across all Member States.
“On suggestions of Canada becoming an associate member of the EU, we would need to see the full detail of any proposed arrangement before commenting on its merits. There is no question of the deep and historic links between Ireland and Canada, and strong relations with the EU are welcome. But it is important to note that ‘associate member’ status doesn’t currently exist under EU Treaties, so questions do remain on what this proposal actually means.
“Ultimately, the EU needs to get back to focusing on everyday issues like the cost of living, protecting the livelihoods of farmers, fishers, and workers, the development of our regions and social protection.”
