Toronto (BERITAPOLITIK.ONLINE) — Head of Foreign Policy of the European Union, Josep Borrell, stated on Tuesday (March 12, 2024) that Israel bears responsibility for the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip by obstructing aid shipments.
“We must escalate humanitarian aid (to Gaza). However, it must be remembered that this humanitarian crisis is not caused by natural disasters. It’s not floods, not earthquakes. It’s a man-made humanitarian disaster,” Borrell told reporters at the UN, while adding that the EU is stepping up its humanitarian aid.
“We must mobilize the international community, but the Israeli authorities must immediately stop obstructing humanitarian access,” he added.
Borrell noted that Israel’s obstruction of humanitarian aid to Gaza is a “major issue,” stating that aid delivery via air or sea routes cannot be an alternative, besides the land route.
“We cannot replace hundreds of tons of aid sent via land routes with airlift operations,” he said.
Meanwhile, regarding Pope Francis’ recent statement on the need for Ukraine to raise the “white flag” and negotiate to end the war with Russia, Borrell said: “I think there is no reason for Ukraine to surrender, to raise the white flag.”
“This is not the time for Ukraine. They must continue to fight against the aggressor, and we must continue to support their resistance.”
Borrell emphasized that the European Union does not oppose Russia or the Russian people.
“We only oppose authoritarian regimes that invade their neighboring countries and violate the UN Charter,” he said.
