EU ministers to face Gaza divisions at Saturday Copenhagen meet

Foreign ministers from the European Union will confront their divisions over the war in Gaza on Saturday after the bloc’s humanitarian aid chief called on them to “find a strong voice that reflects our values and principles.”

Ministers from the EU’s 27 member countries will discuss the war at a meeting in the Danish capital Copenhagen.

Many EU governments have sharply criticized Israel’s conduct of the war, particularly over the deaths of civilians and restrictions on supplies of humanitarian aid.

The outcry intensified after a global hunger monitor that works with the United Nations and major aid agencies said last week it had determined there was famine in Gaza – a finding rejected by Israel.

But EU members have been divided over a common response, with some calling for economic measures to pressure Israel and others stressing a desire to maintain dialogue.

The EU’s executive body proposed last month to curb Israeli access to an EU research-funding program, but the proposal has so far not found enough support from member countries to pass.

Countries including France, the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland have shown support for the proposal, but others, such as Germany and Italy, have not backed it so far, diplomats say.

Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for crisis management who oversees EU humanitarian aid, said it was “time for the EU to find a collective voice on Gaza.”