Over the past three months, the stance of European countries on Israel's war on the Gaza Strip has evolved from absolute support for Israel under the guise of its "right to self-defense" to a growing rejection of the forced relocation of its population, voiced by an increasing number of European officials.
Concerns about the forced displacement of Gaza residents are not new; they began with the first Israeli eviction order directing Gaza residents from the north to move to the southern sector just one week into the conflict.
These concerns have gained momentum amid the displacement of nearly two million Gaza Strip residents, amidst a severe shortage of food, clean water, and medicine.
Recently, Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir floated the idea of pushing for the resettlement of Palestinians outside the Gaza Strip, termed as "voluntary migration," urging nations worldwide to accept the displaced Palestinians.
Statements by Ben-Gvir and Smotrich were met with immediate collective European condemnation, including from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Ireland, and others.
France: Israel Does Not Have the Right
France condemned the Israeli officials' statements calling for the displacement of Palestinian residents in Gaza, stating that "Israel does not have the right to decide the fate of Gaza's population."
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, said that Paris "condemns the recent statements by Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, which call for the resettlement of Palestinians outside Gaza, as well as the re-establishment of settlements and occupation of Palestinian territories."
The French Ministry urged Israel to abstain from such "provocative" statements and spelled out that "any forced transfer of population would constitute a serious violation of international law, according to the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute."
The statement added, "It is not the right of the Israeli government to decide where Palestinians should live."
The French Foreign Ministry concluded its statement by saying "the future of the Gaza Strip and its residents lies in a unified Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel."
United Kingdom: Should Not Be Subject to Displacement
A statement from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office stated London "strongly rejects any proposal to resettle Palestinians outside Gaza."
The statement emphasized that Gaza is occupied Palestinian territory and will be part of the future Palestinian state.
Germany: We Reject Displacement in the Strongest Terms
The German Foreign Ministry confirmed its opposition to the displacement of the Palestinian population in Gaza, stating, "We reject in the strongest terms the statements made by the Israeli ministers."
Sebastian Fischer, a spokesman for the ministry, said the matter was discussed during a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Tokyo, Japan, last November.
Fischer stressed Germany's rejection of the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and the reduction of the Strip's size.
Spain: Displacement Violates International Law
Spain, one of the European countries outspoken in defending the Palestinians, joined nations condemning Israeli officials pushing for the forced relocation of residents in Gaza.
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, "We reject the recent statements by members of the Israeli government advocating for the resettlement of Gaza residents, which would be contrary to international law."
The ministry emphasized that "Spain renews its commitment to the urgent need to respect international law, international humanitarian law, and the protection of civilian populations."
Netherlands: Calls for Displacement Contradict the Two-State Solution
The Netherlands described the Israeli officials' proposal regarding the voluntary migration of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip as "irresponsible."
The Dutch Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said Amsterdam backs the two-state solution and added that the Netherlands rejects any calls for the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza or the reduction of Palestinian territories’ size.
The Dutch Foreign Ministry concluded its statement by stating, "The displacement of Gaza residents does not fit with the principle of a future two-state solution, with a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel."
Slovenia: Mass Migration Contravenes International Law
Slovenia rejected the idea of massive displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. The Slovenian Foreign Ministry, in a statement, warned that any migration of the Palestinian population from Gaza contradicts international law.
The statement emphasized that such a move would increase the threat to prospects for achieving a sustainable solution based on the two-state principle.
Ireland: Israel's Calls for Displacement Are Incendiary and Unacceptable
Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin, in a statement, said that recent Israeli statements calling for the resettlement of Palestinians outside Gaza Strip are "incendiary and completely unacceptable."
Martin, who also serves as the Minister for Defense, added that "an immediate ceasefire and full, safe, and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to Gaza are now more urgent than ever."
The Irish minister stressed that "Gaza is Palestinian territory and an integral part of the future Palestinian state."
European Union: A Provocative and Irresponsible Proposal
Josep Borrell, the EU's chief of foreign affairs and security policy, said in a press statement, "I strongly condemn the incendiary and irresponsible statements by Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, which malign the Palestinian residents of Gaza and call for a plan for their displacement."
Borrell also emphasized that "forced displacement is completely prohibited as a serious violation of international humanitarian law."
Since October 7, the Israeli military has launched a devastating war on Gaza Strip, resulting in over 22,000 deaths and 58,000 injuries, most of whom are children and women, and massive destruction to the infrastructure, constituting an "unprecedented humanitarian disaster," according to the United Nations.
