United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and Ireland’s outgoing Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar have both lashed out at what they said are the European Union’s “double-standards” over the war in Gaza.
Accompanied by President of the European Council Charles Michel, Guterres said he was thankful for the EU’s support, before pressuring the bloc’s leaders to take a firmer stance on support for Palestine.
“When we live in a chaotic world, it is very important to stick to principles,” Guterres said at the start of a two-day Council summit in Brussels on March 21.
“And that is why we believe it is essential to have peace for Ukraine,” he added. “That is why we believe, for the same reasons, that we need a ceasefire in Gaza.”
Guterres said while he and his colleagues “condemn” the attacks by Hamas and the terrorist group’s repeated violations of human rights, a similar condemnation must also be levelled at Israel for its killing of civilians.
“We must stick to principles. In Ukraine, as in Gaza. Without double-standards,” he said, adding that the UN “strongly appeals” to the EU that it play a leading role in combatting such global inequalities.
Varadkar launched similar jabs over the EU’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.
“I think the response to the appalling crisis in Palestine has not been Europe’s finest hour, quite frankly,” he told journalists outside the summit meeting.
“I think it has been undermining of our efforts to defend Ukraine, because so many countries in the global South – also known as most of the world – interpret Europe’s actions in relation to Ukraine versus Palestine as a double-standard.
“I think they have a point, quite frankly. I have been making that case here for months.”
Varadkar went on to say “things have changed” and that there was now a majority of EU nations willing to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The Taoiseach cited the Czech Republic and Austria as being the only two remaining hold-outs but added that he hoped they would shift their position post-haste.
Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has unexpectedly resigned ahead of the European Parliament elections in June.
“I know inevitably, there will be speculation as to the ‘real reason’ for my decision. These are the real reasons." ⬇️ https://t.co/B7F4IcbaMk
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) March 20, 2024
