Ursula von der Leyen has been accused of “genocide” and told the Hague is “not good enough” for her and the EU’s leaders in a brutal tirade in the European Parliament.
In the bitter speech delivered to MEPs, von der Leyen and her senior colleagues were scolded for failing to back a ceasefire by Clare Daly.
The self-described socialist, who represents Dublin, spoke to the chamber as IDF forces continue to mount their assault on the Gaza Strip with the aim of wiping out the Hamas terrorists that killed around 1400 Israelis on October 7.
Ms Daly claimed that western leaders were complicit in the “unrelenting mass murder of Palestinians in Gaza”.
The Independents 4 Change MEP said: “These crimes against humanity are being carried out with your weapons in your name.
“Don’t come in here, trying to wipe the blood off with belated concern. It’s not just Israel’s genocide. It’s yours and The Hague isn’t good enough for you.”
At a conference convened by French President Emmanuel Macron on November 9, Ms von der Leyen said: “We all call for the release of hostages and we all have to protect and save civilians in Gaza. We have to protect lives that preserve humanity… The European Commission knows Gaza very well.
“For decades, together with the member states, we have been working with the people in Gaza. We have been one of the largest donor to the Palestinian people.”
EU member states are divided on whether to back a ceasefire in Israel. Ireland, Spain, Portugal and France all support the dropping of weapons, but Germany and Italy do not.
However the Commission has not called for a ceasefire, in line with the position of the UK and US.
Following meetings with the US, Israel has agreed to open up short humanitarian windows to allow civilians to escape the conflict, although Hamas has previously told its people to stay put.
Earlier, Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News: “The fighting continues against the Hamas enemy… but in specific locations for a given period – a few hours here, a few hours there – we want to facilitate a safe passage of civilians away from the zone of fighting.”
