The division between the partners prevents the EU from giving a firm response to the crisis in Gaza

The deep division between EU partners continues to prevent the community block from giving a quick and firm response to the urgent crisis in Gaza.The high representative for EU foreign policy, Josep Borrell, did not find unanimity among the 27 members to make brief informal conclusions that requested the immediate cessation of all violence and decreeing a high fire to protect civilians and givingfull access to humanitarian aid in Gaza.Hungary unmarked again and refused to sign that text.

Borrell had summoned on Tuesday to the EU Foreign Ministers to an informal meeting by videoconference to coordinate the position of the twenty -seven before the serious crisis in Gaza.At the end of the meeting, the head of European diplomacy could only read a short text with several sections that reflected the feeling of 26 partners.Many of these arguments had already been exposed in the communications and statements of recent days, so that the summary barely introduced news such as the need to relaunch the peace process when the current conflict is resolved.

Even so, Hungary blocked any minimum unanimous message from the EU."Frankly, I have a hard time understanding how you cannot agree with these sections," Borrell lamented at the press conference after the meeting, highlighting that these statements could be assumed by any country regardless of their position.It is not the first time that Budapest frustrates a common European position over Israel.Borrell himself explained that the Orban executive already prevented the EU ambassador with the United Nations, Olof Skoog, to read a statement in the Security Council on behalf of the EU.

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"I don't want to deceive you, I don't want to present what happened today [this Tuesday] as if all member states had had the same general sense of discussion," Borrell admitted.In addition to urging the cessation of violence, the high representative condemned again the launch of missile.In the summary he read, he also stressed that there is a "strong support" between the twenty -seven so that the evictions of several families are not executed in the Seij Jarrah neighborhood, in East Jerusalem.

The head of European diplomacy, however, could hardly go further given the enormous distance between the twenty -seven.Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, had advocated Monday in an interview in L’Elté for “giving hope to the Palestinians putting an end to colonization”.In line with the defense of Palestine countries such as Finland, Malta or Ireland have also been expressed.

Loss of influence in the region

However, other partners defend opposite theses.It's not just about Hungary.Last Friday, the Israeli flag waved in official buildings of Austria, Slovenia and the Czech Republic, supporting the Government of Benjamín Netanyahu.In an interview with the French agency France Presse, the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, crossed out the call to Alto El Fuego between Israel and Palestine of "partial and unbalanced."“I have a general problem with European statements about Israel.They are not of great help, particularly in current circumstances, when tensions are so high, ”he said.

Borrell already admitted last week that the partners are "deeply divided" about the conflict.And this, in his opinion, has been depriving the EU for a long time to have influence in the region.“We do not have the mediation capacity to solve this very serious moment of tension between Palestine and Israel.That can only be done by the United States, assuming he wants, ”he said.

Being forced to give explanations without a document signed by the 27 members, this Tuesday Borrell launched a resounding message to the capitals.“I have allowed myself to remind my colleagues that the Foreign Affairs Council has as a mission to create a common foreign policy and security.It is not a whim, it is a mandate of treaties. ”