Growing EU & UK Calls condemning Israel

In recent weeks, growing international condemnation of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has intensified, with influential voices from the European Union and the United Kingdom joining calls to halt what many now describe as a humanitarian catastrophe. Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris and the UK’s Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy have emerged as prominent figures demanding an immediate cessation of Israeli military operations and the facilitation of unfettered humanitarian access to the besieged enclave. Their statements reflect mounting frustration within European political circles over Israel’s continued blockade and bombardment of Gaza, which have led to thousands of civilian deaths and what many are calling war crimes.
Simon Harris’s condemnation of the relentless Israeli strikes was unequivocal. Speaking before the Irish Parliament, he stressed the urgency of halting military aggression and warned that continued violence only fuels radicalization and regional instability. Ireland, long an advocate for human rights and international law, has been one of the few European countries consistently vocal about Palestinian rights. David Lammy echoed similar sentiments in the UK, calling on Israel to respect international humanitarian law and allow immediate delivery of aid to the millions trapped under siege in Gaza. These interventions mark a shift in the tone of Western diplomacy, indicating a growing willingness to confront Israeli policies more directly.
Pakistan has commended both leaders for their moral clarity, praising them for speaking out against what Islamabad characterizes as a genocide. In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan noted that such voices must now lead to concrete global actions to stop the carnage in Gaza. With over 14,000 Palestinian babies at risk of dying within 48 hours due to starvation and a lack of medical supplies, the stakes could not be higher. The crisis has laid bare the inhumanity of a blockade that deprives civilians of the most basic necessities and the impunity with which Israel has operated for decades.
Human rights organizations and legal experts have repeatedly pointed out that the indiscriminate bombing of densely populated areas, combined with the total siege on food, water, and medical aid, constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law. Many legal scholars argue that these actions meet the threshold of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Pakistan, along with several other countries in the Global South, has called for the enforcement of an arms embargo against Israel and the immediate referral of its leadership to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The time for rhetorical condemnation has passed. The United Kingdom, having now condemned the actions of the Israeli government, must match words with deeds. Sanctions, including travel bans on Israeli military officials and the suspension of defence cooperation, are critical to ensuring accountability. Silence and delay only embolden further atrocities. Western governments have often been accused of maintaining double standards, decrying war crimes in one region while excusing or ignoring them elsewhere. This duplicity undermines the very foundations of international law.
Pakistan has long stood firm in its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, advocating for a just two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. It has decried what it sees as systematic ethnic cleansing and apartheid policies practiced by the Israeli state. From forced evictions in East Jerusalem to expanding illegal settlements and military raids on refugee camps, the Palestinian people have suffered decades of dispossession and violence. The ongoing war in Gaza is, for many, the tragic culmination of these long-standing injustices.
The growing chorus of EU voices calling for change represents a pivotal moment in international diplomacy. If followed by decisive action, such as sanctions, legal proceedings at the ICC, and concrete steps to end the occupation, it could finally mark a turning point. For too long, Israel has acted with near-total impunity, shielded by powerful allies who prioritize geopolitical interests over human rights. This must change. True peace can only come through justice, and justice demands that those responsible for war crimes are held accountable.
Critics argue that temporary ceasefires and humanitarian pauses are inadequate. While they may provide brief moments of relief for suffering civilians, they do nothing to dismantle the structures of occupation and apartheid that fuel this conflict. A durable peace must be built on ending the blockade, dismantling the illegal settlements, restoring Palestinian sovereignty, and ensuring equal rights for all who live between the river and the sea.
The urgency of the moment cannot be overstated. The United Nations Security Council, often hamstrung by veto politics, must act decisively. A binding resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, full humanitarian access, and a roadmap to a political solution is desperately needed. Gaza’s children cannot wait. Every hour of delay means more lives lost; more futures extinguished.
The statements by Simon Harris and David Lammy are commendable, but they must be the beginning, not the end, of a global push for justice. The world is watching. And for the people of Gaza, every second counts.