#eu-foreign-policy

#eu-foreign-policy

Delivering her state of the union address in Brussels last week, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, painted a grim but accurate picture of the challenges faced by Europe as the first quarter of the 21st century draws to a close. A world of imperial ambitions and imperial wars, she noted, is a world in which dependencies are ruthlessly weaponised.

There is a "growing majority" of countries that support sanctions against Israel, the EU's foreign affairs boss, Kaja Kallas, said recently. But Europe's top diplomats were unable to reach any kind of consensus. And some privately expressed frustration with EU nations blocking sanctions on Israel. One of these is Germany. In Copenhagen: Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and others would like some sort of sanctions while Italy, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Germany are reluctant

European leaders are grappling with the need to assert autonomy in Middle East policy amidst a fractured transatlantic relationship and increasing US-Iran tensions.

I am shocked and appalled at reports that the IDF fired shots in the vicinity of a visit to Jenin today by a group of diplomats, including two Irish diplomats based in Ramallah.