European governments are finally being forced to condemn Israel as its crimes have become impossible to ignore. But they are scapegoating National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir rather than confronting the system he represents.

The EU just sanctioned violent Israeli settlers and settler groups, but critics call it a “smokescreen” meant to delay imposing sanctions on Israel where it hurts: its longstanding economic relationship with Europe.

Despite the media narrative that Netanyahu “lost” an ally in Europe, Péter Magyar’s decisive win in Hungary will not shift EU policy on Israel, because it is not being set by neofascists like Viktor Orbán but by Europe’s liberal core.

Energy exports play a central role in Israel’s campaign to normalize relations with its neighbors and avoid accountability for its ongoing genocide of Palestinians. An energy embargo on Israel should go hand-in-hand with calls for an arms embargo.

The European Union has the power to stop Israel’s rampant slaughter in Gaza. But even recent moves to pressure Israel reflect the EU’s unwillingness to stop the genocide.

Hamas slams Israel for “spreading chaos” after an Israeli airstrike killed two local police officers in charge of securing and delivering food to north Gaza. In the West Bank, Israeli forces and settlers kill two Palestinians.

For decades, Western governments attempted to “manage the conflict” in Palestine with “concern” but no accountability. Now, they are giving Israel the green light to commit a massacre. 

The 30 years since the Oslo Accords has shown Palestinians that Europe will not serve as a counterweight to the U.S., but rather as a pillar in their dispossession.

The EU Envoy to Palestine Sven Kühn Von Burgsdorff paraglided onto a beach in Gaza on Monday and told Gazans that “Everything is possible.” But some things, like paragliding in Gaza’s skies, are only possible for people with immense power like Mr. Von Burgsdorff, not for the Palestinians living under a crippling Israeli blockade.

Nine European Union states announced their support for the Palestinian civil society organizations that were arbitrarily deemed “terrorist institutions” by the Israeli government last year. The EU states rejected the Israeli designation, citing lack of proof.