Middle East Archives

In this week's edition: EU's envoy on diplomatic efforts for Middle East peace, Western Balkans funding coming soon and NATO's Ukraine plan.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Tuesday (2 April) demanded Israel clarify the circumstances of what he called a 'brutal' Israeli air strike on central Gaza, which claimed the lives of seven volunteers from the NGO World Central Kitchen (WCK), run by Spanish chef José Andrés.

Spain's decision to recognise Palestine as an independent state is not rewarding terrorism, Israel's claims otherwise are "nonsense", according to Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares in an interview on Tuesday (26 March)

.Ireland, Malta, Slovenia, and Spain said on Friday (22 March) they are ready to recognise the state of Palestine as the “only way to achieve peace and security” in the war-ridden region.

In a breakthrough, EU leaders called on Thursday (21 March) for an "immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire" in Gaza and urged Israel not to launch a major ground offensive in the southernmost city of Rafah. "The European Council …

After weeks of disagreements, EU foreign ministers on Monday (18 March) agreed in principle to impose sanctions against Israeli settlers for attacking Palestinians in the West Bank and to add further sanctions on members of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. The …

Airdrops and a maritime corridor will not be enough to substitute humanitarian aid transported by trucks into Gaza, where people are on the verge of famine, European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said on Thursday (14 March).

Israel was using starvation to wage war in Gaza, with the lack of aid being a "manmade" disaster, the EU's chief diplomat Josep Borrell told the UN Security Council on Wednesday (13 March), in one of his strongest remarks since 7 October.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday (8 March) said she expected a maritime aid corridor to start operating between Cyprus and Gaza this weekend, taking desperately needed aid to besieged Palestinians.

The EU border agency Frontex is drawing up 'potential scenarios' to assess how it might provide additional support, if needed, at the borders with the Gaza Strip, its executive director, Hans Leijtens, told a group of media, including Euractiv.

Recent signs point to a rekindling of relations between Turkey and the West, particularly on action relating to Ukraine. However, long-term energy dependencies indicate that Turkey and Russia will remain close partners for the foreseeable future, writes Francesco Siccardi.

Mediators expected to reconvene in Cairo as soon as Sunday (3 March) and search for a formula acceptable to Israel and Hamas for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, sources with knowledge of the talks said, after foreign governments resorted to airdrops to aid desperate civilians in the Palestinian enclave.

Backing a call from Ireland and Spain, 78 members of the European Parliament representing a majority of political groups stated they would support a revision of the EU-Israel Association Agreement over Tel Aviv's breach of human rights obligation in Gaza, according to a letter obtained by Euractiv. 

Ireland and Spain are seeking an “urgent review” of whether Israel is complying with human rights obligations under its trade agreement with the EU, according to a joint letter seen by Euractiv.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Tuesday (13 February) ahead of her trip to Israel that she is concerned about Tel Aviv's looming military offensive in the Palestinian city of Rafah, striking a more critical tone towards the country than before.

EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell on Monday (12 February) urged allies of Israel - primarily the United States - to stop sending it weapons as "too many people" are being killed in Gaza.

Turkey's government is scrambling to prove it has fulfilled promises to re-home victims of a devastating earthquake from February 2023. But a year on, survivors are still in temporary housing, facing the prospect of having to buy their potential new homes.

The European Commission said on Monday (29 January) it will request the UN Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA) to allow EU experts to audit the body, following Israeli allegations that some staff had participated in Hamas's October 7 attack.

Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Monday (22 January) sidestepped a discussion on the situation in Gaza and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at talks with EU counterparts, opting to show them aspirational videos of future infrastructure projects in the region.

In this week's edition: An EU peace plan for the Middle East, the EU executive's economic security blueprint previewed and a stark NATO warning.

The EU has drafted a 10-point plan for a "credible, comprehensive solution" to the Israel-Palestine conflict, according to a draft document, seen by Euractiv, though securing EU member states' and regional buy-in will be hard-fought.

Belgium stands ready to join the European Union's future maritime security mission in the Red Sea with the Louise-Marie frigate, the government announced on Friday (19 January).

EU foreign ministers on Monday (22 January) will hold a series of meetings with counterparts from Israel, the Palestinian Authority and key Arab nations about Gaza and prospects for a future peace settlement.

The Netherlands are planning to make a frigate available for the EU's new mission in the Red Sea to protect ships against attacks from the Houthis in Yemen, according to an announcement on Wednesday.