Global think tank to Europe: ‘Words are not enough’
In a statement titled “Europe on Gaza: Words Are Not Enough”, the International Crisis Group urges European leaders to back their stated concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza with action.
In recent weeks, several European countries have employed stern language to rebuke Israel’s blockade that has brought hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza to the verge of starvation.
But most European countries enjoy warm ties with Israel and continue to export weapons to the country. The EU is Israel’s top trade partner.
“For European Union members and the UK to have any hope of contributing to changes in Israel’s policy, they need to throw more of their economic and diplomatic weight into signalling to Israel that the Gaza campaign must end”, the International Crisis Group said.
“A starting point would be to ban arms sales to Israel or, at least, forbid the use of weapons from Europe in Gaza; commit to upholding the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for top Israeli officials, including Netanyahu himself, if they travel to Europe; curb preferential trade benefits; and sanction those senior officials and ministers pushing illegal settlement policy, while threatening further steps if the assault does not stop.”
NEW STATEMENT | Europe on Gaza: Words Are Not Enough
A rising chorus of European states have condemned Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. While much depends on Washington, European leaders have levers at their disposal to press for the war’s end.https://t.co/znga1407Wh
— Crisis Group (@CrisisGroup) June 3, 2025
Who’s on the Madleen Gaza flotilla, and where has it reached so far?
The Madleen ship, launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), is en route to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid and human rights activists protesting against Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
The vessel set sail in response to Israel’s total aid blockade of the Palestinian enclave starting on March 2, which has resulted in the deaths of dozens of children due to starvation. Israel has since allowed a trickle of aid into Gaza.
The Madleen, named after Gaza’s first and only fisherwoman, departed Catania, Sicily, on Sunday, just one month after drones bombed Conscience, another Freedom Flotilla aid ship, off the coast of Malta. Freedom Flotilla blamed Israel for the attack.
The 2,000km (1,250-mile) journey of the Madleen is expected to take seven days, provided there are no disruptions.
Greta Thunberg, third from left, with part of the crew of the ship Madleen shortly before departure from Catania on June 1
