By Melike Pala
BRUSSELS (AA) - Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on Wednesday staged a symbolic "red protest" during the annual State of the Union debate, criticizing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for what they described as silence in the face of Israel's actions in Gaza.
Lawmakers from the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the Greens, and the Left groups entered the chamber dressed entirely in red to convey that "red lines" had been crossed in Gaza. Ahead of the session, they posed outside the plenary holding a red cord, while some wore red keffiyehs, watermelon-themed pins, symbols widely associated with Palestinian solidarity.
During von der Leyen's address, several lawmakers stood throughout and interrupted her remarks, calling for stronger EU action.
S&D leader Iratxe Garcia-Perez accused the commission of turning a blind eye to atrocities. "Where is Europe when Gaza is dying every day? More than 64,000 Palestinians killed, 2 million displaced. Homes, hospitals and schools razed to the ground. Famine used as a weapon of war. Children machine-gunned while searching for food."
Green co-chair Bas Eickhout said action must come before Gaza is "completely wiped out," urging the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, an arms embargo, and a halt to imports from illegal settlements.
"Will we only start acting on Gaza when there is no Gaza left, when all the buildings are razed to the ground and all the people have fled or are being killed? We need action, we need sanctions," he said.
Left co-chair Martin Schirdewan also called for sanctions against Israeli ministers, saying: "Today we've crossed a red line. For feel too long, you've been silent on the humanitarian disaster and the war crimes committed by the Israeli army in Gaza. Your words are not enough."
Earlier Wednesday, during her plenary speech, von der Leyen announced plans to propose a package of measures against Israel, including pausing bilateral support, partially suspending the trade-related Association Agreement, and imposing sanctions on extremist ministers and violent settlers.