European nations are reportedly aligning to support a plan for the recognition of Palestine as a state at a forthcoming United Nations General Assembly. Concurrently, top European officials have issued condemnations of Israel’s actions in Gaza, with some describing the conflict as “genocide.”
Despite these diplomatic statements, the progress of tangible actions has encountered various impediments. A proposed European Union initiative to levy higher tariffs on Israeli goods remains unconfirmed, and other efforts targeting the Israeli government have stalled, notably due to opposition from Germany.
Individual European countries have also demonstrated limitations in their practical responses. Humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, a territory facing significant food security concerns, have been restricted. Similarly, the number of asylum seekers admitted from Gaza has been limited, a situation influenced by the sensitive political landscape surrounding immigration across Europe.
Belgium has received the highest number of Palestinian asylum applicants in Europe, a trend potentially linked to its existing Palestinian community and immigration policies. However, the asylum process in Belgium has proven challenging, with a considerable number of rejections recorded this year. While Belgium facilitated the evacuation of its citizens and the family members of its residents and refugees, it closed its evacuation list, which included approximately 500 individuals, in April.
Source: www.nytimes.com