This article was originally published in English
The lack of unanimity in Brussels forced EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to issue the statement on his own.
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The Czech Republic blocked a joint European Union statement that called for a “immediate ceasefire” between Israel and Hezbollah and condemned the number of civilians killed in Lebanon. With this move, Prague is preventing members from issuing a unified response to the latest developments in the Middle East.
This blockage occurs while US officials warn that Iran preparing to launch “imminently” a ballistic missile attack on Israel.
The Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria, staunch supporters of Israel
The Czech Republic, along with Hungary and Austria, are considered Israel’s strongest supporters in Europe.
In recent months, these countries have pushed to tone down collective actions that they consider openly critical of the Jewish state.
Publication of the statement by Josep Borrell
The lack of unanimity in Brussels forced EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to issue the statement on his own.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs calls for a “immediate ceasefire” between the warring parties and urges “integral and symmetrical application” of a United Nations Security Council resolution approved in 2006, which called for an end to hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah.
“We deplore the numerous civilian casualties in Lebanon, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and its long-term consequences, as well as the high number of displaced people on both sides, and we once again call for respect for international humanitarian law in all circumstances”Mr. Borrell said Tuesday afternoon. “The guns must now be silenced and the voice of diplomacy must be expressed and heard by all”he added.
Mr. Borrell had alluded to this joint declaration after having held an extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers Monday evening, just hours before Israeli defense forces invaded parts of southern Lebanon.
The text was published almost 24 hours after the meeting of foreign ministers.
Persistent disagreements in Brussels
Israel’s ground offensive is the first territorial campaign since the 2006 war. Launched in response to heavy cross-border fire by Hezbollah in solidarity with Hamas, this military operation further increases the military scope of the crisis in the Middle East and brings the region closer to all-out war that Western allies have long feared.
Despite shared concern over the escalating conflict, the behind-the-scenes struggle in Brussels to issue the joint statement lays bare ongoing disagreements among member states when it comes to addressing Israel, disagreements that have been demonstrated both privately and publicly since the attack on October 7.
