Statement of the Bureau of the External Relations Section of the European Economic and Social Committee on the situation in the Middle East

Statement of the Bureau of the External Relations Section of the European Economic and Social Committee on the situation in the Middle East

We are greatly concerned about the situation in the Middle East and the consequences of the ongoing conflict involving Iran and neighbouring countries; we call for de-escalation, renewed peace talks, and a firm commitment to multilateral principles. The ceasefire remains fragile after failed negotiations. Priority should be given to renewed negotiations and inclusive dialogue based on the UN Charter and a rules-based multilateral order. 

We express grave concern regarding the fundamental rights situation in Iran. We are concerned that external conflict may further facilitate repression and divert attention from economic hardship and domestic unrest. We condemn the use of the death penalty against people protesting against the regime and call for the abolition of the capital penalty.

We welcome the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon announced on 16 April and reiterate our call for a permanent peace agreement between the two countries. We further note that, in Lebanon, the ceasefire is widely perceived as a narrow opening for peace, national unity and the restoration of state sovereignty through the gradual reassertion of the state’s monopoly on the use of force. We recall that the deadly strikes of 8 April and the attacks on UN peacekeepers were widely condemned by EU authorities. We call for support for the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in South Lebanon and for implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701.

We stress that the protection of civilians must remain an absolute priority in all countries affected by the conflicts. We call on all parties to comply fully with international humanitarian law, and we underline the essential role of civil society organisations in enabling humanitarian delivery, supporting affected communities and contributing to the peace process.

The EESC strongly condemned the terrorist attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023 and, while recognising the right of the State of Israel to defend itself in accordance with international law, we are particularly concerned about internal developments in Israel during the conflict, including the recently adopted death penalty law applying exclusively to Palestinians, the expansion of illegal settlements and settler violence in the West Bank, and the continued humanitarian emergency in Gaza. We take note of calls from civil society organisations urging the EU to use all legal means available to stop Israel’s human rights violations and to uphold its own legal obligations under international law.

We note that, although the EU has had limited ability to shape events, it must manage the consequences in Europe of the open conflicts in the Middle East and Gulf region, notably higher energy prices and wider risks related to migration, nuclear non-proliferation, and regional and economic instability. We note that rising energy prices expose persistent structural weaknesses in European energy dependence and call for the completion of the EU Energy Union. We call on EU governments to adopt specific measures for the most vulnerable groups to prevent energy poverty and to support tools for SMEs, which are particularly affected by the energy crisis. We call on the EU authorities already to prepare contingency measures in order to face trade disruptions, investment insecurity, and heightened vulnerability of supply chains. 

We call for rapid restauration of the freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in compliance with international maritime law.  The current situation leaves seafarers stranded on blocked vessels with dwindling access to food, water and medical supplies. We observe that the conflict has diverted attention from the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the future of the Palestinians. We further note that the conflict benefits Russia through higher fossil-fuel revenues and by diverting attention from Ukraine, reinforcing the need to sustain EU support for Ukraine. At the same time, we would warn that the war is amplifying global economic and food security risks, in particular for Africa.