Dangerous escalation in the Middle East

Priority question for written answer P-001945/2024
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 144
Kostas Papadakis (NI), Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI)

Iran's missile attack on Tel Aviv was an expected retaliatory move in response to Israeli brutality and marks an escalation in the military showdown between the two countries.

Backed by the US, NATO and the EU, Israel is continuing its genocide against Palestinians, has occupied further territory in Gaza and the West Bank, has invaded the independent state of Lebanon and is continuing its killing spree against political leaders.

The EU has organised 'Aspides', a dangerous military operation in the Red Sea, which the Greek Government is taking part in by sending a warship and hosting the operation headquarters in Larissa.

How does the EU High Representative/Vice-President view:

• 1.The fact that the EU military operation 'Aspides' provides a justification for the escalation of Israel's savage project, contributes to the escalation of armed conflict in the wider Middle Eastern region and turns people in the region and Europeans into retaliation targets, with unpredictable consequences?
• 2.The call for all support to Israel to be withdrawn, for the EU's 'Aspides' operation to be terminated, for the Greek frigate and the other ships that joined the mission to be withdrawn and for a pull-out from the war in the Middle East?
• 3.The fact that the EU continues to support Israel, citing its commitment to the latter's security for the sake of stability in the Middle East, when this very same region is in severe turmoil precisely because of Israel's aggression and the policy pursued by its Government, whose plans are supported by the EU?

Submitted: 3.10.2024