“Sharp criticism of recent statements by some EU and UN representatives comes from the European Jewish Congress (EJC): The Brussels-based umbrella organisation of Jewish communities, which also includes the Central Council of Jews in Germany, has called on the heads of state and government of the European Union as well as the representatives of the United Nations to refrain from “inflammatory remarks” regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip and to cease their “Israel-bashing.
The President of the EJC Austrian Ariel Muzicant stated that unfair criticism of Israel and allegations such as those made by EU Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell, claiming that Israel is deliberately starving people in the Gaza Strip, have contributed to the recent rise in antisemitism across Europe.
Muzicant said: “The constant stream of Israel-bashing by EU and UN leaders, while at the same time little to no criticism of Hamas terrorism, is the main factor behind the enormous increase in antisemitism that European Jewish communities have registered since October 7th of last year.”
Careless remarks by politicians could easily lead to violent attacks on European Jews, said the EJC president.
Specifically, he mentioned the Spaniard Borrell, who is the EU Chief Diplomat and Vice President of the European Commission and has long been sharply critical of the Israeli government. “The statements made by Mr. Borrell this week, claiming that Israel uses hunger as a war strategy, are false and unfounded. They add additional fuel to a fire that the Hamas terrorists have already ignited and that is being spread by their supporters in Europe.”
Borrell had declared at the United Nations in New York a few days ago: “Hunger is being used as a weapon of war. If we condemn the events in Ukraine, we must use the same words for the events in the Gaza Strip.”
Ariel Muzicant also targeted the United Nations. When senior representatives of the United Nations like Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk and Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar “handle terms like genocide with defamatory and clearly false terms” while Israeli hostages remain in Hamas captivity, questions must be asked.
Israel is the victim and not the perpetrator in the current conflict, Muzicant continued, and there is only one way to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, namely the immediate release of all Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip.
Israel has not imposed restrictions on aid allowed into Gaza, despite being involved in a military conflict with the organisation that controls almost all distribution channels in the Gaza Strip and deliberately prevents much of the aid from reaching those who need it most,” he explained. The only organisation using hunger as a war strategy is Hamas. Israel, on the other hand, fulfills its obligations under the Geneva Convention”
