In earnest efforts to identify methods to halt the relentless and inhumane aggression directed towards the Palestinian people in Gaza over the past ten months, it is crucial to illuminate the underlying factors that perpetuate this aggression in its various manifestations. Furthermore, it is essential to analyze and assess the elements that may mitigate it. These influences are rapidly promoted and are central to Europe's stance in favor of the occupying state, which is evident and manifested within the collective frameworks across all sectors. The most significant and impactful of these is the political dimension, epitomized by the European Union's structure, along with the individual positions of European nations, which often serve to reinforce to reinforce the EU’s pro-Israeli stance.

European Alignment

Or European Consistency

Last month, Ursula von der Leyen was reappointed for a new five-years term as President of the European Commission, securing a significant majority with 401 votes out of 720. Throughout her initial term, von der Leyen exhibited a pronounced bias in favor of the Israeli occupation, overstepping her authority by acting without the consent of member states, which drew criticism from both her peers and various factions across the continent.

On June 4, EU Council President Charles Michel remarked that von der Leyen's stance had damaged the EU's reputation and fostered internal divisions. Nevertheless, her re-election suggests a considerable alignment within the European Assembly regarding support for the occupation state.

The EU's endorsement of the occupying state's right to defend itself against the Palestinian population in Gaza has been interpreted as a tacit approval of acts that could be classified as genocide and ethnic cleansing, despite clear violations of international law. Belgian international law professor Ian Fermon highlighted what he termed "European hypocrisy" and a stark contradiction in his legal analysis presented at a press conference organized by the European-Palestinian Council for Political Relations on November 15, 2023. As of this writing, the European Union continues to uphold the same policy, which may be seen as complicity in the atrocities committed against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

The assessment of the European Union's role in the ongoing situation reveals that the persistent military support provided to the occupying state is a significant contributor to the continued aggression in Gaza. This assertion is supported by a report released last month by a coalition of 19 international civil society organizations, as cited by Quds News Network. The report highlights that European financial institutions have extended 36.1 billion euros in loans and investments, while also holding 26 billion euros in stocks and bonds in companies that supply arms to the occupying state. Furthermore, several European nations continue to export weapons to the occupying state throughout the duration of the aggression, with Germany being a notable example as the second-largest exporter.

In terms of economic relations, the European Union remains the primary trading partner of the occupying state, with a trade volume of 46 billion euros recorded in 2022, which constitutes a vital component of the Israeli economy. Additionally, regarding the issue of settlements in the occupied West Bank, which Europe deems illegal, the European Union's policy of labeling settlement products prior to their entry into European markets is perceived as a form of legitimization, thereby contributing to the economic support of the occupying state.

The European Union, in another manifestation of its support for the occupying state, undertakes significant efforts to demonize the Palestinian resistance and to deny the Palestinian people their right to resist occupation. This stance contradicts the principles and provisions of international law, which affirm the right of peoples under occupation to resist occupying powers by any means, including armed struggle, as highlighted by Belgian lawyer Ian Fermon during a press conference in Brussels last November.

Numerous European nations persist in their support for the occupying state by imposing restrictions on events and activities that advocate for the Palestinian people, particularly demonstrations calling for an end to the recent aggression in Gaza. Germany exemplifies these restrictions, where authorities have effectively instilled a palpable fear in individuals who engage with the topic of Palestine or express support for its inherent justice. Demonstrations in Germany, even those intended to show solidarity, are conducted under a cloud of anxiety, with participants wary of any swift response from authorities to actions perceived as threatening the security of the occupying state or as supportive of the Palestinian resistance. The interpretation of legality in these instances remains solely within the purview of law enforcement.

Discrediting and Persecution

While acknowledging that this methodology is longstanding and possesses a significant institutional presence, the influence of civil institutions that support the occupying state—particularly in the realms of politics, media, and the economy—has notably increased in recent months amid the aggression in Gaza. These institutions have actively discredited and persecuted those who express solidarity with the Palestinian cause, as well as the activities and events associated with it. This has resulted in the utilization of their resources to restrict certain official policies within this framework, perpetuating actions that violate fundamental human rights principles, which are deemed sacred. Numerous instances exemplifying this situation abound, making it difficult to enumerate them all.

The extensive support from Europe for the occupying state can be viewed as a natural consequence, given that Europe played a pivotal role in the establishment of the occupying state and has provided it with the means to sustain itself over the past eight decades. This support has solidified the occupying state's position within the European collective consciousness and reality across various domains, including economic, political, demographic, cultural, academic, and social spheres. Consequently, the occupying state can be regarded as a localized European issue, with the broader European environment generally not favoring Palestine and its people.

To maintain this policy, the occupying state and its architects have endeavored to obscure the stark reality of the injustices faced by the Palestinian people and the crimes perpetrated against them. This strategy aims to ensure that European citizens remain aligned with Israeli narratives and falsehoods, while fostering animosity towards the Palestinian cause.

The emergence of the extreme right in Europe, coupled with rising racism, has paradoxically led to increased support for the occupying state, contradicting the right's purported policy of inward focus. This has occurred alongside active interference in foreign affairs and backing for the occupying state situated in the Middle East.

Despite this characterization of European support for the occupying state and its underlying causes, recent developments in favor of the Palestinian cause, particularly in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip over the past ten months, signify a significant strategic shift. This shift has fostered an enhanced platform for Palestine, which can be leveraged in both the near and distant future across various domains, including political, popular, media, legal, and economic arenas. The advancements in these fields represent some of the most promising and hopeful achievements.

The role of open media in disseminating the unfiltered truth about the extensive and brutal crimes perpetrated by the occupying power against the Palestinian people in Gaza over the past ten months has been pivotal. The persistence of these crimes, despite their duration, alongside the resilience and unity of the Palestinian people, has galvanized millions across Europe to protest continuously and vocally against the aggression, demanding an end to support for the occupying power and challenging the prevailing double standards.

A notable statistic from the Netherlands-based European Palestinian Information Center indicates that over 22,000 demonstrations and events have been organized in more than 605 cities across 20 European countries. This figure underscores the magnitude of the shift in public consciousness and the awakening of these populations to the realities and extent of the misinformation that has long been entrenched in the European collective conscience and mind.

This widespread movement underscores the significant diversity and emerging elements within it, particularly the involvement of youth and the European Jewish community advocating for the Palestinian cause. This phenomenon merits recognition for its determination and understanding of the injustices faced by the Palestinian people.

The impact of this movement was evident during the recent electoral campaigns for the European Parliament and local elections in various countries, notably the French parliamentary elections. The outcomes clearly indicate a promising qualitative shift among diverse segments of European society, demonstrating that the solidarity movement that filled the streets of Europe has also been manifested in the electoral results.

Presence and Achievements

Specialized organizations and activists have conducted a preliminary analysis indicating that within the European Parliament, which commenced its term last month and will last for five years, there exists a bloc advocating for Palestinian rights comprising between 100 and 150 out of 720 members from various European nations. Notable examples of this support, which has manifested in various forms during past election campaigns, include Spain with 29 MEPs, France with 20, Italy with 24, Germany with 10, the Netherlands with 14, Poland with 9, Belgium with 5, Denmark with 5, and Sweden with 5.

In the context of domestic politics, three significant events highlight a relatively strong presence of the Palestinian cause and the grievances of Gaza. One such event is the success of Luc Mélenchon's France Libre party, a notable advocate for Palestine over the past ten months, which secured 75 seats within the newly formed leftist Popular Front coalition, totaling 182 seats in the National Assembly elections, surpassing both the far-right and the presidential bloc.

Another instance is observed in Sweden, where the Left Party made gains in the parliamentary elections, obtaining two seats, bolstered by the support of Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim minorities, particularly in Malmö, a city known for its vibrant activism in favor of Palestine over the past ten months.

Additionally, Denmark, which has a significant Palestinian and Arab minority relative to its small population, successfully elected five deputies to the European Parliament. Two of these deputies promptly joined 21 other European parliamentarians in signing a political petition addressed to the President of the European Commission, opposing the European Union's policy of supporting the occupying state.

The most significant political development in the past ten months is currently unfolding in Austria, where local elections are set to take place on September 29. Austrian activists are participating under the banner of the “Gaza List,” which has been officially sanctioned by the election committee as one of the eleven lists competing in the nationwide elections.

These activists successfully garnered endorsements from 3,099 Austrian citizens, surpassing the minimum requirement of 2,600. They also secured support for accreditation and exceeded the necessary vote count in seven out of nine states. Each supporter was required to provide their full details, including their home address, which underscores their commitment to the cause and highlights the widespread support for the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza. Regardless of the election outcome, the activists have achieved a significant milestone by reaching this point, and it is noteworthy that the list is led by a native Austrian activist.

From a legal perspective, the European Legal Support Center has made commendable strides as an independent entity advocating for the Palestine solidarity movement across Europe and the UK. Headquartered in Amsterdam, with additional offices in Berlin and London, the center recently celebrated a legal victory on August 7. This victory involved the director of Al-Haq in the Palestinian territories successfully challenging a Dutch newspaper and receiving compensation from an Italian publication for defamatory claims made against him.

Emergence of a New Reality

The increasing awareness of human rights and legal issues among activists across Europe over the past ten months, coupled with a notable resistance to arbitrary actions taken by local authorities—particularly in Germany—against individuals and organizations aimed at curtailing their activities, has led to a series of successful lawsuits. This has significantly contributed to the ongoing demonstrations and events in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

In the media landscape, particularly regarding its popular and political dimensions, we highlight the efforts of Danish activists and the initiative titled “100,000 Danes to Stop the Aggression on Gaza.” This platform has remarkably garnered 71,000 members in a short span, with over 80% being native Danes. Additionally, the “Pulse 48” platform serves as a vital information source on Palestine and the ongoing genocide in Gaza, emerging as one of the leading media outlets concerning Palestine among the Danish populace.

Support for the Palestinian cause is also notably strong within religious institutions, especially the Catholic Church in Italy. Furthermore, humanitarian initiatives and relief efforts have a longstanding tradition in Europe, particularly at the grassroots level, involving civil society organizations and trade unions, especially those focused on medical assistance. Despite challenges in delivering aid, contributions from across Europe remain significant and impactful.

In conclusion, notwithstanding the challenges and the robust strategic ties between EU nations and the occupying state, the ongoing genocidal conflict in Gaza, the resilience of the Palestinian people, and their resistance to the aggression, along with the direct media coverage of these events and the global official and grassroots responses, have fostered a new, favorable reality for Palestine across various dimensions: political, legal, popular, media, and humanitarian. This shift is likely to establish enduring patterns of support for the Palestinian cause, even following the end of hostilities. It is essential for Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities, as well as advocates for justice in Europe and beyond, to remain vigilant and proactive in capitalizing on this momentum.

Source: Al-Jazeera Net (Unofficial translation)