Deputy Urges Von der Leyen for Increased EU Action on Israel and Gaza

Teresa Ribera, in an interview on Spain’s Cadena Ser radio network, remarked, “The Commission mirrors national sensibilities. Institutionally, it shouldn’t be this way—it’s meant to be independent and represent EU interests, but the reality is everyone brings their cultural context and beliefs.” Ribera, from Spain—one of the EU’s most vocal critics of Israel’s war in Gaza—served as the country’s deputy prime minister when Madrid recognized Palestinian statehood last year.

She noted the EU ambassadors’ refusal to back Brussels’ proposal to limit Israel’s access to the Horizon Europe research program highlighted the bloc’s division on the issue. Ribera pointed out a lack of consensus among EU Commissioners for stronger actions like suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement or sanctioning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel commenced its military offensive in October 2023 following a Hamas attack that killed over 1,000 people on Israeli soil. Palestinian health authorities reported over 60,000 deaths in Gaza from Israel’s military actions, with nearly a third being minors. UN-backed food security experts warned of a “worst-case scenario of famine” due to Israeli restrictions on aid into the region.

Ribera compared the suffering in Gaza to the Jewish plight during the Holocaust in the Warsaw Ghetto, criticizing the EU for inaction amid “one of the worst humanitarian scandals in history,” and expressed that “history will not look the other way.”

“We are racing against time with people dying of hunger,” she said, urging Europe to act and solidify its role as a political entity to uphold the ideals that inspired the EU’s creation.


Comments

8 responses to “Deputy Urges Von der Leyen for Increased EU Action on Israel and Gaza”

  1. twin blaze Avatar
    twin blaze

    Oh brilliant, nothing like a good old EU debate to make you feel like you’re stuck in a never-ending café line—everyone’s got an opinion, but no one’s ordering anything! 🍷🕰️

  2. Campfire Mama Avatar
    Campfire Mama

    Isn’t it charming how the EU can’t seem to agree on anything except for its excellent talent in twiddling thumbs while Rome—sorry, Brussels—burns? 🌍💼

  3. Romance Guppy Avatar
    Romance Guppy

    Oh sure, let’s just wait for the EU to grow a backbone while people are starving, because clearly, historical context is the best excuse for inaction. 🍷🤷‍♂️

  4. Firefly Avatar

    Oh, absolutely, nothing screams “independent bloc” like bickering ambassadors and a deputy PM playing moral tug-of-war—classic Europe, always up for a debate while the world’s on fire! 🔥🤷‍♂️

  5. Sass Burst Avatar
    Sass Burst

    Seems like the EU’s got a knack for collective hand-wringing while the real drama unfolds, eh? 🤷‍♂️ Who knew diplomacy came with such a hefty price tag—like a round of tapas in Madrid! 🍷🥘

  6. Sleek Assassin Avatar
    Sleek Assassin

    Oh great, another EU politician playing the moral high ground while the rest of us are stuck in a bureaucratic quagmire. 🇪🇺 Maybe we should just send them all to a hipster café in Berlin to sort it out over artisanal lattes. 🍵

  7. Alley 
Cat Avatar
    Alley Cat

    Guess the EU’s motto really should be “Why act now when we can debate endlessly?” 🤷‍♂️ Meanwhile, people are starving while the suits bicker. Classic!

  8. spelltansy Avatar
    spelltansy

    Just what we needed, another deputy playing the moral high ground while the EU decides which way the wind blows. Guess we’ll save the actual actions for… well, never. 😏

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Governments and Private Sector Must Unite to Counter Hybrid Attacks

Governments and Private Sector Must Unite to Counter Hybrid Attacks

Offshore Energies UK reported “drone sightings near offshore energy structures” in April. “Our platforms are 100, 150 miles out in the middle of the sea, so you don’t typically have many neighbors — you don’t have people coming and visiting unless they have a very good reason,” Graham Skinner, the trade body’s health and safety manager for offshore infrastructure, told the

Read More

Guide for New Company Directors: Essential Director Responsibilities for UK Business Owners

Guide for New Company Directors: Essential Director Responsibilities for UK Business Owners

London, June 26 – Eurotoday Newspaper — New company director guide searches are increasing as more entrepreneurs establish limited companies across the UK. Business advisers say new directors are paying closer attention to their legal responsibilities after incorporation, with compliance becoming a key issue for startups navigating their first year of trading.
Compliance Expectations Increase fo

Read More

EU Ministers Support Grid Overhaul

EU Ministers Support Grid Overhaul

Council’s Stance Initiates Talks on Expedited Permits, Enhanced Interconnections, and Security Rules for Europe’s Power Networks
On Friday, EU energy ministers reached a consensus on a significant package aimed at modernizing Europe’s energy grids, advancing the bloc towards new rules to accelerate cross-border infrastructure, alleviate bottlenecks, and support the transition t

Read More

Understanding the Importance of a Registered Office Address for Every UK Company

Understanding the Importance of a Registered Office Address for Every UK Company

London, June 26 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Virtual registered office services are seeing increased demand as more entrepreneurs register companies online and seek flexible ways to meet UK legal requirements. Company formation specialists say the trend reflects the continued growth of remote businesses and digital startups across the country.
More New Companies Choose Professional Registered Office

Read More

Why Europe’s Heat Waves Are Still So Deadly

Why Europe’s Heat Waves Are Still So Deadly

“We designed our cities based on past climate conditions,” remarked Jeroen Kluck, a professor at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences who studies climate resilience in urban areas.
“Our simulations indicate that more homes will become too hot, even with sun screening and ventilation,” he noted. “In the future, active cooling systems might be necessary for thes

Read More

EU Deploys Rescue Teams to Venezuela

EU Deploys Rescue Teams to Venezuela

Eight member states have mobilized emergency assistance for Venezuela following the 24 June earthquakes, with UN teams coordinating search-and-rescue efforts.
The European Union has dispatched rescue teams, medical personnel, and emergency equipment to Venezuela after two significant earthquakes on 24 June, resulting in numerous casualties. Over 520 responders have been mobilized through the EU C

Read More

How Executive Thought Leadership Drives Brand Trust in 2026

How Executive Thought Leadership Drives Brand Trust in 2026

London, June 26 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Brand trust building is emerging as a leading business strategy as more executives take public roles to strengthen their companies’ reputations. Corporate leaders are increasingly sharing expert insights through interviews, articles, conferences, and social platforms to improve transparency and establish credibility with customers, investors, and stakehold

Read More

Britain’s next leader must decide on North Sea drilling as Donald Trump watches.

Britain’s next leader must decide on North Sea drilling as Donald Trump watches.

The final legal decision on two advanced projects, potentially starting production this year, rests with U.K. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. Miliband’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has been contacted for a statement; Burnham’s team hasn’t responded to inquiries. Miliband, Labour’s leading climate advocate, previously criticized the Rosebank project as “climate vanda

Read More

Council of Europe Commissioner Urges Ongoing Solidarity and Human Rights Protection for Displaced Ukrainians in Europe

Council of Europe Commissioner Urges Ongoing Solidarity and Human Rights Protection for Displaced Ukrainians in Europe

Gdansk, 26 June 2026 – Today, Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, released Observations warning against prematurely ending protection and assistance for Ukrainians displaced across Europe by Russia’s ongoing war.
These Observations build on the Commissioner’s earlier statement and highlight the diminishing support for displaced Ukrainians. This includes potent

Read More

Russian-Appointed Authorities Declare Emergency in Crimea Following Infrastructure Disruptions

Russian-Appointed Authorities Declare Emergency in Crimea Following Infrastructure Disruptions

Crimea, June 26 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Crimea situation today remains a major focus after Russian-installed authorities declared an emergency following reported infrastructure disruptions across parts of the peninsula. Crimea, 2026 — Emergency response teams were deployed to assess affected areas, restore essential services, and coordinate repairs while officials continued evaluating the exten

Read More