By Janet Ekstract NEW YORK- The leaders of Spain, Ireland, Belgium and Malta are jointly calling for a lasting humanitarian ceasefire to end the war in Gaza and are requesting EU leaders put the Gaza conflict front and center on their agenda when they meet next week. Leaders from 27 EU nations will gather in Brussels on December 14-15 to discuss assistance for Ukraine, dealing with Russian aggression and revising the EU’s long-term budget. A letter from the prime ministers of the four countries was sent to European Council President Charles Michel since he chairs the EU summits. The prime ministers highlighted the direness and seriousness of the situation and the possibility of a wider regional conflict. Reuters was privy to viewing the letter and told the press that it said EU leaders need to reach a consensus immediately. The letter partially stated that they must “urgently ask all parties to declare a lasting humanitarian ceasefire that can lead to the end of hostilities.” They also said swift, timely measures must be requested from both sides to immediately protect Gazan civilians.
The prime ministers of these countries are calling for an international peace conference on Gaza as soon as possible to discuss establishing a Palestinian state alongside Israel. They added that to prevent further violence from spreading into the West Bank, that the assets of violent Israeli settlers who are attacking displaced Palestinian communities must be frozen. Last week, the Biden administration announced a measure that would prevent those settlers from reentering the U.S. This is not the first time that Spain, Ireland, Belgium and Malta have spoken up against the continued bombardment of Gaza. Ever since the U.S. vetoed a proposed U.N. Security Council demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, countries, NGOs, as well as Jews and Muslims abroad including in Israel, have been even more insistent on calling for an immediate ceasefire. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu over the weekend, threatened to attack Houthi rebels if they persist in firing rockets into Israel.
