Von der Leyen accused of ‘unacceptable bias’ toward Israel

Politico: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is facing backlash for her comments during a visit to Israel, where she expressed unconditional solidarity with the country but did not explicitly call for Israel to adhere to international law in its war on Gaza. She visited Kfar Aza kibbutz, where a Hamas attack killed more than 1,300 Israelis the previous week. Her stance drew criticism from EU lawmakers and diplomats who pointed out that her comments diverged from the official EU line, which calls for protection of civilians and adherence to international humanitarian law by both sides. Her visit was in conjunction with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, who also faced similar criticisms. Meanwhile, international organizations and EU officials criticized Israel’s preparations for a potential ground offensive in northern Gaza. Amidst the controversy, the European Commission announced it would triple its humanitarian aid to Gaza to €75 million.

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