The silence of the European Union, including especially Germany, whose Chancellor Angela Merkel declared support for Israel’s right “to defend itself,” constitutes a collaboration with Israel’s “journey of destruction and death, waged against the Palestinian people in Gaza,” journalist Amira Hass writes in Haaretz, Israel’s oldest daily newspaper.

“[T]he EU’s original stance, stated on July 22, still resounds,” Hass continued. “It accused the side under prolonged Israeli siege of causing the escalation. This is the side that, despite all the European declarations on its right to self-determination and an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza, is still under Israeli occupation after 47 years.

“EU member states and, obviously, the United States, gave Israel a green light to kill, destroy and pulverize. They placed the brunt of the blame on the people launching the rockets, the Palestinians. The rockets are disrupting the “order” and the “quiet,” endangering the security of Israel, which is so weak and vulnerable, always attacked for no reason whatsoever.

“Basically, the United States and Europe are endorsing the status quo under which the Gaza Strip is severed from the West Bank. The Israeli siege of Gaza and the oppression of the Palestinian population in the West Bank are Israel’s quiet, order and security. Whoever dares to violate this must be punished. In their passionate declarations on Israel’s right to defend itself, EU officials fail to mention the Palestinians’ right to security or protection from the Israeli army.”

Europe and the U.S. gave Israel its green light “to destroy, kill and inflict suffering on an unprecedented scale” not at the outbreak of the present hostilities, but back in 2006, “when they spearheaded the boycott of the Hamas government, elected in a democratic vote,” Hass wrote.

Read more here.

— Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.

 Wait, before you go…

If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface.  We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.

Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.

Support Truthdig
In this Article:
#amira hass#benjamin netanyahu#european union#gaza#germany#haaretz#hamas