EU Parliament Dispute Erupts Over Gaza War Debate and Humanitarian Impact

(MENAFN) Tensions have surfaced within the European Parliament after the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) accused the European People’s Party (EPP)—the political group of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen—of blocking a proposed debate on the humanitarian consequences of the war in Gaza.

S&D President Iratxe García Pérez stated on Tuesday that her group had been the only political faction requesting a formal discussion focused on what she described as the “human cost” of the conflict. She said the proposal also included attention to allegations raised during discussions, including claims about the introduction of a death penalty targeting Palestinians.

According to García Pérez, the EPP voted against holding the debate, effectively preventing it from moving forward.

She also broadened her criticism to the wider European response to the ongoing regional crisis, arguing that the EU has failed to adequately address the humanitarian situation. She referred to continuing violence in Gaza, unrest in the West Bank, and spillover effects reaching Lebanon, saying that European institutions have not provided sufficient solutions.

García Pérez further said her group had attempted to raise parliamentary attention to the “human cost” of the conflict, but that the initiative was rejected. She added that efforts are underway to build support for stronger EU measures, including a potential suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and the introduction of a bloc-wide arms embargo position.

The debate reflects growing divisions within EU institutions over how to respond to the ongoing war and its humanitarian consequences.

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