Justice and accountability
As Trump and Netanyahu swapped mutual congratulations in Israel on Monday, some officials in Brussels watched their display with a sense of foreboding. At one point, Trump even suggested Netanyahu should be pardoned in relation to the corruption charges he faces at home — a move that contributed to the sense Trump wants to look forward, not back.
The official quoted above stressed that Israel must be held accountable for what some have called the “genocide” in Gaza. “What is very important in a peace process is that justice is done and accountability is done. Let’s not forget that 60,000 innocent people have been killed, that Gaza is destroyed,” they said.
At the height of the humanitarian crisis, the German government banned the export of any weapons to Israel that could be used in Gaza. Now, ministers in Berlin are preparing to review those measures to see whether the conditions allow restrictions to be lifted.
“Let’s not forget that 60,000 innocent people have been killed, that Gaza is destroyed,” a European government official said. | Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP via Getty Images
In Paris, where the government is in its own spiral of disarray, there is still a desire to maintain some negotiating power. “We need to keep [the threat of sanctions] and condition their removal. Everything that has been obtained from Netanyahu has been done under duress. It’s not the moment to decrease pressure,” said a former French official. It’s “too premature.”
One member of parliament from Britain’s ruling Labour Party agreed it was too soon to consider lifting sanctions. “I have a strong sense that pressure on Israel will still be needed,” the MP said.
Europe’s role
European officials are pressing for a major role in the process that follows, demanding a seat on Trump’s proposed “board of peace” that would oversee the administration of Gaza. Trump was vague on Monday about its composition, referring questions to his envoy Steve Witkoff, who said he had many applicants.