Western diplomacies quickly supported Israel, the victim of Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7. But the intensification of the response from the Jewish state is pushing its allies to call for a suspension in the conflict.
Allies who are starting to make their voices heard. After the bloody Hamas attack on October 7, Western countries faced a barrage of criticism in the Arab world for their support of the retaliation carried out by Israel. But the position of the United States and European countries underwent a slight change in early November, with several officials now condemning Israel for the intensity of its strikes on the Gaza Strip.
Let’s rewind. On October 7, the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli soil from the Gaza Strip which it administers. In retaliation, Israel declares war for “annihilate” the terrorist movement, and relentlessly bombs the Gaza Strip, where some 2.4 million Palestinians are crowded together. The international community is then divided into three camps: the countries which support Israel, the countries supporting Hamas, and those claiming a form of neutrality, by calling for a ceasefire.
Rapid and strong support for Israel
Western countries immediately showed their support for the Jewish state. “At this time we must be absolutely clear. We stand with Israel.”launches Joe Biden on October 10, describing the Hamas attacks as “pure evil”, and promising military and financial aid to its historic ally. Germany, the United States, France, Italy and the United Kingdom condemn in a joint statement published the same day “Without possible ambiguity, Hamas and its revolting terrorist acts” and promise to support “Israel’s efforts to defend itself”.
In the days that followed, American President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak each visited Israel in turn. Ursula von der Leyen does the same, but her visit creates discomfort among EU diplomats, the President of the European Commission not conditioning its support on respect for international law, and not taking the time to visit the Palestinian territories. And this, just a few days after announcing that European development aid for the Palestinians would be reviewed.
The French president, usually quick to offer his mediation and very proactive in international crises, was relatively discreet at first, only going to Israel on October 24. On this occasion, he also met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the King Abdullah II of Jordan. “The situation is extraordinarily complicated. [La France] has the first Muslim community in Europe and the third Jewish community in the world”an eminently flammable context which calls for a balanced response, analyzes Michel Duclos, former diplomat and special advisor at the Montaigne Institute, with AFP.
“Western diplomacies are caught at odds”
On the Palestinian side, the toll from Israeli bombings – communicated by Hamas – is soaring. The unfailing support of Western governments for Israel is increasingly criticized among public opinion, and demonstrations in support of the Palestinians are increasing. “In the Gaza Strip, a humanitarian disaster seems imminent. And as the situation for the Palestinians worsens, Western support for Israel will decline.”predicts the left-wing Israeli daily Haaretzmid-October. “Western diplomacies are caught at odds, between legitimate empathy and solidarity with a country hit by terrorism, and the difficulty of restricting it in its response”analysis on France Inter by international relations columnist Pierre Haski.
On the night of October 25 to 26, Israeli tanks and armored vehicles made a first incursion into Gaza. Two days later, the Jewish state announced “extend” its land operations in the enclave. Lhe heads of state and government of the 27 EU countries then express their “greater concern regarding the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza”in a joint declaration which calls for “humanitarian corridors” and “breaks” to deliver international aid. For their part, the United States also declares itself in favor of a “humanitarian break” in order to let aid into the Gaza Strip.
While continuing to show support “flawless” to Israel and its right to defend itself against the Islamist movement, the Biden administration is publicly increasing calls to spare the lives of Palestinian civilians. “The Israeli government should take every possible measure at its disposal to distinguish between Hamas – terrorists who are legitimate military targets – and civilians who are not.”declared White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on CNN on October 29. A few days later, a senior American official quoted by AFP considered that the release of the Hamas hostages “would require a very significant pause in the conflict”.
A humanitarian conference in Paris to put “pressure”
Between the end of October and the first days of November, several deadly Israeli bombings on a refugees camp, on several schools housing displaced people as well as on an ambulance arouse international emotion. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he “horrified”. “The images of bodies scattered in the street in front of the hospital are heartbreaking”he adds about the strike that hit the ambulance.
After the Israeli strikes against the Jabaliya camp, managed by the UN, France explicitly condemns, for the first time since the start of the conflict, “attacks on United Nations sites and humanitarian personnel”. She also expresses her “astonishment” and his “incomprehension” concerning an Israeli strike which hit the French Institute in Gaza, Friday November 3.
The President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, also announces the organization of a “humanitarian conference” on November 9 in Paris. A way for Israel’s allies to“to bring pressure” on the Jewish State in order to “put an end to this bombing campaign”estimates on franceinfo Rony Brauman, doctor and former president of Médecins sans frontières.