Source: European Parliament
On 13 October 2024, the High Representative/Vice-President issued a statement[1] on behalf of the EU condemning all attacks against any United Nations (UN) missions and expressing particularly grave concern regarding the attacks by the Israeli Defence Forces against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), which left several peacekeepers wounded. Such attacks against UN peacekeepers constitute a grave violation of international law, are totally unacceptable and must stop immediately.
Unifil plays a fundamental role in the stability of South Lebanon and completes its mission under UN Security Council mandate (Resolution 1701 of 11 August 2006[2]). Currently 16 Member States contribute with personnel to Unifil.
The EU urgently calls for explanations and a thorough investigation from the Israeli authorities about the attacks against Unifil and urges all parties to fully uphold their obligations to guarantee the safety and security of Unifil personnel at all times, and to allow Unifil to continue to implement its mandate.
The EU has been consistently clear that political engagement and frank and open dialogue are the most effective way to convey EU concerns to third countries, including to Israeli partners. The Association Agreement with Israel[3] is the legal basis of EU’s ongoing dialogue with the Israeli authorities and provides important mechanisms to discuss issues and advance EU’s point of view.
- [1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/10/13/statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-recent-attacks-against-unifil/
- [2] https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n06/465/03/pdf/n0646503.pdf
- [3] https://eeas.europa.eu/archives/delegations/israel/documents/eu_israel/asso_agree_en.pdf