The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas has not only had devastating consequences on the ground but has also reverberated through international corridors of power. One entity, in particular, the European Union (EU), finds itself grappling with a crisis of credibility and influence, effectively sinking its global aspirations. A Politico article by Matthew Karnitschnig serves as a stark case study in this regard, illustrating how the EU’s inconsistent and indecisive stance during the Israel-Hamas war has further eroded its standing in the world.
The EU has long aspired to be more than just an economic alliance. It aimed to be a geopolitical entity with a unified foreign policy and a voice that matters in international conflicts. However, the Israel-Hamas war has laid bare the chasm between the EU’s aspirations and its reality. Karnitschnig aptly describes the EU as a “well-meaning NGO”, a term that encapsulates the bloc’s diminished status in global politics. Once considered a potential powerhouse, the EU now finds its role relegated to that of a humanitarian contributor, rather than a decisive geopolitical actor.
This decline was glaringly evident in the EU’s response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, which was marked by a cacophony of conflicting statements. European Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi announced the suspension of €691 million in aid to the Palestinian Authority, a decision that was contradicted just hours later by other EU officials. This inconsistency was not an isolated incident but indicative of a deeper malaise affecting the EU’s foreign policy machinery. Such discord not only undermines the EU’s credibility but also renders it impotent on the global stage.
In stark contrast to the EU’s vacillation, the United States presented a clear and unambiguous stance. President Joe Biden’s unequivocal support for Israel, as stated in a White House address, highlighted the decisiveness that the EU sorely lacks. Even China, as reported by WION, has called on the United States to play a “constructive and responsible role,” further sidelining the EU in matters of global importance.
The Israel-Hamas conflict also presented an opportunity for the EU to lead in areas it has traditionally championed: human rights and international law. Yet, the EU’s inconsistent stance has made it a non-entity in these critical discussions. An article from The Daily Beast discusses the complexities of avoiding civilian casualties in the conflict, a subject where the EU could have asserted its influence. However, its failure to do so has left it sidelined, missing an opportunity to assert its relevance on issues it claims to hold dear.
The EU’s diminishing role is not limited to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Its waning influence in other geopolitical crises, such as the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the Kosovo crisis, has been a cause for concern for some time. However, the Israel-Hamas war might just be the final nail in the coffin, sinking the EU’s aspirations of being a global influencer once and for all.
The Politico article serves as a grim reminder that the EU’s ship is not just adrift; it’s sinking. The Israel-Hamas conflict has exposed the EU’s inability to act as a unified bloc, thereby sinking its global aspirations. As the world navigates through increasingly turbulent waters, the absence of a strong and coherent EU is felt more than ever. The Israel-Hamas war has not just been a conflict between two entities; it has been a litmus test for international actors, a test that the EU has failed spectacularly.
