The Middle East is on edge. The crisis in Gaza deepens daily. Diplomacy has stalled – a high-level UN conference to advance efforts towards a two-state solution to the Palestine-Israel conflict has been indefinitely postponed.
Meanwhile, the EU – whose response to the destruction of Gaza has been woefully inadequate – is more divided than ever now that Israel has opened another front with Iran. Its 27 member states are split between those that back Israel and those that are alarmed by the collapse of international law. The EU’s collective voice has largely been silent.
The EU is not incapable of strong action; its robust response to the war in Ukraine proves that. But Ukraine is seen as a neighbour, and Russia as a direct threat to EU and Nato security. Brussels’ rhetoric has been clear and can be summed up as the EU standing with Ukraine every step of the way.
When it comes to Gaza, however, the EU defaults to financial aid. An additional €25 million ($28.7 million) was pledged recently, bringing the EU’s total to more than €100 million this year. But what is sorely lacking is moral clarity – a principled, united voice calling on Israel to stop.
The EU’s former foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has been one of the few to speak out clearly. Addressing dignitaries last month while collecting the Charles V European Award in Spain he said Europe was “facing the largest ethnic cleansing operation since the end of the Second World War in order to create a splendid holiday destination once the millions of tonnes of rubble have been cleared from Gaza and the Palestinians have died or gone away”. The Middle East may lie outside the EU’s immediate sphere but geography is not the only issue for the bloc’s lack of action. It is also about leadership.
The Middle East may lie outside the EU’s immediate sphere but geography is not the only issue for the bloc’s lack of action
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, has shown a marked reluctance to engage on Gaza. Ms Kallas lacks knowledge of the Middle East — a startling deficiency for someone in her role. But surely within the vast bureaucracy of Brussels, she could find capable advisers with regional expertise?
Ms Kallas’s unwavering focus on Ukraine is personal. Her family suffered under Soviet oppression, and she has made it clear that her mission is to support Ukraine. But a seeming lack of parallel empathy for Palestinians – who are equally victims of overwhelming military force – is striking.
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a German politician, has faced intense criticism for her stance. Germany has not only defended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza, but also imprisoned pro-Palestinian demonstrators and turned away Palestinian doctors invited to Germany for humanitarian lectures.
Ms von der Leyen has loudly condemned Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine, but on Israel’s crimes in Gaza she has remained largely silent. She continues to blame Iran for this latest regional escalation – despite Israel’s initial strikes – and has been accused of pursuing a “pro-Israel solo run”, according to Irish MEP Barry Andrews. He noted that Mr Netanyahu’s recent speech justifying attacks on Iran “echoed President Bush’s justification for invading Iraq in 2003”.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has gone further, accusing EU governments of “hypocrisy and inaction” that is fuelling the suffering in Gaza. So, what can the EU do to regain its relevance – and its integrity?
First, it must abandon the requirement for unanimity in foreign policy decisions and move towards qualified majority voting. This would streamline decisions and prevent a handful of member states from blocking action.
Second, the EU should appoint a high-profile special envoy with real gravitas — someone respected by both Israelis and Palestinians, and who is trusted in the region. Candidates like Martin Griffiths, former UN humanitarian chief, or Kenneth Roth, long-time director of Human Rights Watch, would bring credibility, experience and moral authority.
Such an envoy could engage regional players – including Hamas, Israel, Egypt and Qatar – to push for a ceasefire, demand accountability for settler violence and begin sketching a roadmap for regional de-escalation.
Third, the EU must use its economic leverage. As Israel’s largest trading partner, the EU has influence — but rarely applies it. Brussels could suspend parts of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, re-direct aid to vetted Palestinian civil society groups, provide economic incentives to neighbouring states for de-escalation and impose targeted arms embargoes using the EU’s Common Position on Arms Exports when weapons are used in violation of international law.
And when it comes to Iran, the only sustainable path is diplomacy. The EU should reactivate its backchannels — through France, Germany, and the UK — to pursue arms control, sanctions relief and renewed diplomatic engagement, including on proxy groups like Hezbollah or the Houthis.
If it acts, this crisis could become an opportunity for the EU. It could reclaim its place as a regional power, not just a trade bloc. It could show that Europe can lead independently of the US. Most importantly, it could demonstrate that the EU is not just a cheque book for humanitarian aid but a credible broker for peace.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The National selections:
6.30pm AF Alwajel
7.05pm Ekhtiyaar
7.40pm First View
8.15pm Benbatl
8.50pm Zakouski
9.25pm: Kimbear
10pm: Chasing Dreams
10.35pm: Good Fortune
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
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MATCH INFO
Manchester United 2
(Martial 30', McTominay 90 6')
Manchester City 0
ENGLAND SQUAD
Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes
The biog
Title: General Practitioner with a speciality in cardiology
Previous jobs: Worked in well-known hospitals Jaslok and Breach Candy in Mumbai, India
Education: Medical degree from the Government Medical College in Nagpur
How it all began: opened his first clinic in Ajman in 1993
Family: a 90-year-old mother, wife and two daughters
Remembers a time when medicines from India were purchased per kilo
more from Janine di Giovanni
Fixtures
Wednesday
4.15pm: Japan v Spain (Group A)
5.30pm: UAE v Italy (Group A)
6.45pm: Russia v Mexico (Group B)
8pm: Iran v Egypt (Group B)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
HWJN
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 445bhp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh474,600
On Sale: Now
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
FIXTURES
Fixtures for Round 15 (all times UAE)
Friday
Inter Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
Saturday
Atalanta v Verona (6pm)
Udinese v Napoli (9pm)
Lazio v Juventus (11.45pm)
Sunday
Lecce v Genoa (3.30pm)
Sassuolo v Cagliari (6pm)
SPAL v Brescia (6pm)
Torino v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sampdoria v Parma (9pm)
Bologna v AC Milan (11.45pm)
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2018 Peugeot 5008
Price, base / as tested: Dh99,900 / Dh134,900
Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 240Nm @ 1,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km
'Project Power'
Stars: Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dominique Fishback
Director: Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman
Rating: 3.5/5
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FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
