Around 50 Members of the European Parliament and several European Commissioners wore red in Strasbourg on September 10 as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with civilians in Gaza.
The protest took place as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her annual State of the European Union speech to the European Parliament.
Among those joining the demonstration was Spanish Energy Commissioner Teresa Ribera, who has been outspoken in criticising the European Union’s divided stance on the war between Israel and Hamas.
In her hour-and-a-half speech, Ursula von der Leyen admitted to the lack of unity among member states and warned of the difficulties in reaching a common position. “I am aware it will be difficult to find majorities. And I know that any action will be too much for some, too little for others,” she said.
Von der Leyen said Europe “needs to do more” and announced a package of measures intended to break the deadlock.
The Commission will temporarily suspend some funding to Israel, while maintaining support for Israeli civil society and the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem.
She promised sanctions on extremist ministers and violent settlers, and partially suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement on trade-related matters are also possibly in the pipeline — if the proposal are backed by a majority of EU member states.
Von der Leyen also noted that the earlier proposal to suspend parts of the EU’s Horizon funding remains blocked due to the lack of a qualified majority. “We cannot afford to be paralysed,” she said.
After the speech, Iratxe García Pérez, leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, criticised the Commission’s response. “Mrs. von der Leyen, where is Europe when Gaza dies every day? We receive your proposals, but they arrive too late. We are calling for a complete termination of the agreement. If Gaza dies, the soul of Europe dies with Gaza. Stop the genocide in Gaza.”
García Pérez highlighted the humanitarian toll, citing reports of two million internally displaced people, the destruction of homes, hospitals and schools, and allegations that hunger is being used as a weapon of war.
She also criticised the absence of any Gaza victims at the Strasbourg session, pointing out that a Ukrainian boy who had been kidnapped during the war in Ukraine was invited to speak, whereas no victims from Gaza were present.
The debate underscored deep divisions among EU member states. Spain, Belgium and Ireland have called for tougher measures against Israel, including trade restrictions. Germany, Hungary, Czechia and several Nordic and eastern countries oppose sanctions and favour maintaining cooperation, leaving the EU unable to reach consensus on coordinated action.
