Middle East conflict "divides" Europe - Countries disagree on Israel's right to attack Iran
Clashes within the European Union over Israel's attack on Iran are expected to come to the fore during a meeting of ambassadors in Brussels, hampering the bloc's efforts to find a common response to the crisis.
"It is certainly an issue that is being discussed: to what extent this right of self-defense is acceptable," said a source.
The EU issued a statement a few days ago calling on "all parties to respect international law, not to take further steps that could cause serious consequences, such as the possible release of radioactive material."
Inside sources say a "major" part of the discussions among member states was whether the EU should declare that "Israel has the right to defend itself" in the context of its attacks against Iran.
About 15 member states, including Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy and the Netherlands, wanted to add the sentence, but it was not unanimously agreed. Several other countries stressed that there was not enough evidence that Israel had the right to launch an offensive against Iran.
Under international law and the UN Charter, a state can exercise its right to self-defense in the event of an armed attack or imminent attack. Any necessary action must also be proportionate.
Israel says its series of strikes are preemptive moves to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The issue will be discussed by ambassadors in Brussels on Thursday and is an agenda item for a summit of EU heads of state and government next week.
Meanwhile, EU sources said they were "surprised" by a message from the Commission President announcing implicit support for Israel's attacks on Tehran. The message from Ursula von der Leyen went further than the agreed statement by the European Council, which is the EU's arm with the authority to conduct foreign policy.
The Commission President wrote on the X network: "I spoke with President Herzog regarding the situation in the Middle East. I reiterated Israel's right to defend itself and its people."
"There was no consensus to say that Israel has the right to defend itself, but Von der Leyen stated it anyway," said another diplomatic source.
"These countries like Iran don't just submit when attacked like this, and what comes next will be much worse, even if there is regime change in Iran," the official said, adding: "And then, when two or three million Iranians arrive at the doors of Europe, they will say they can't handle this migration crisis."
One of the former heads of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) claimed that "Israeli suspicion does not constitute an immediate threat" and that Israel's attack on nuclear facilities is breaking international law.
The EU considers Iran a major destabilizing influence on the European continent through its military support for Russia. Tehran has been supplying Moscow with drones since the start of its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to Kiev's military.
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