Brussels: European inaction and alignment with US and Israeli policies risk leading to a "genocide in Lebanon," warned Belgian member of the European Parliament (MEP) Rudi Kennes. He criticized what he described as a collapse of an independent European foreign policy.
According to Anadolu Agency, Kennes expressed concern over Europe's failure to uphold international law and human rights standards in recent conflicts. He highlighted how the US and Israel have conducted sustained airstrikes on Iran since February 28, resulting in over 1,340 deaths, including that of then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states hosting US forces.
While Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the war as illegal, most EU leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have remained silent on the legality of the strikes. Instead, they have portrayed Iran's defensive actions as destabilizing, a stance criticized by Kennes for eroding Europe's global standing.
Kennes argued that Europe's response reflects "double standards," citing the lack of outcry over an Israeli-US airstrike on a girls' elementary school in Iran, which killed approximately 170 people. He questioned the silence of European leaders, suggesting that if similar actions were taken by other nations, there would be global uproar.
He emphasized that Europe has lost its credibility and moral authority, which could have long-term economic and geopolitical consequences. "We are moving into the camp of the aggressor," Kennes stated, noting that Europe may no longer play a significant role in the region's future.
Kennes specifically warned that Lebanon could face a fate similar to Gaza, with counterterrorism being used as a pretext for broader military objectives. He criticized the normalization of large-scale violence and displacement, fearing it may lead to genocide in Lebanon.
He also highlighted the EU's failure to recognize the severity of the situation in Gaza. "First, you have to recognize that this is a genocide," Kennes said.
Kennes voiced concern over rising Middle Eastern tensions, criticizing US President Donald Trump for aligning with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he accused of pursuing territorial expansion under the guise of military action. He warned this could be part of a broader strategy for a "Greater Israel."
Calling for a fundamental shift in EU foreign policy, Kennes urged European leaders to apologize for past actions and recommit to international law. He also questioned the leadership of the EU, suggesting figures like von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte are currently steering policy without clear strategy or accountability.
Kennes concluded by stressing the paralysis in Europe's diplomatic efforts and the need for true leadership and diplomacy in addressing escalating global conflicts.