Gaza suffering is 'unbearable', says EU commissioner

Dubravka Suica tells The National about her efforts to engage with Middle Eastern partners to resolve conflict

European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica plays a central role in shaping the EU's economic diplomacy in the Middle East. AFP

International pressure on Israel to alleviate “unbearable” suffering in Gaza is set to increase at an upcoming conference in New York in support of a Palestinian state, the EU commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica has told The National.

The UN has warned of mass starvation in Gaza engineered by Israel, but Benjamin Netanyahu's government rejects the accusation and blames Hamas. In the meantime the number of deaths from starvation rises steadily.

“The situation there is unbearable,” Ms Suica said. “This is exactly the reason there is a conference. It won't solve that but it can help, because France and Saudi Arabia are organising it. Many foreign ministers will follow, and I will join on behalf of the European Commission.”

A two-state solution such as that backed by the bloc and its Arab partners appears to many more elusive than ever. Israel’s parliament this week called for the annexation of all Jewish settlements in the West Bank – in effect blocking the possibility of a future Palestinian state.

Ms Suica, a Croatian politician who is scheduled to represent the EU at this month's conference, plays a central role in shaping the EU's economic diplomacy in the Middle East. The budget she oversees was doubled last week to €42.5 billion in the EU Commission's latest seven-year budget proposal.

EU Commissioner for Mediterranean Dubravka Suica (right) has actively engaged with Middle Eastern partners in the past months ahead of a relaunch of relations in the autumn. EPA

In October, Ms Suica will present a “new pact for the Mediterranean”, which is expected to include concrete partnerships with the region, starting with the first joint energy conference with GCC countries in Brussels on December 15. The idea is to show the region that the EU is not neglecting relations with the Arab world despite being also focusing on what is viewed as Russia's existential threat in Ukraine.

Though not part of the Mediterranean region, Gulf countries are to be integrated in the new pact as privileged partners. “We badly need them to get with us, because their interest is to have peace, security and prosperity in the region,” Ms Suica said.

We want to be a player, not only a payer

EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica

Ms Suica, who is in charge the EU's funding to the Palestinian Authority, said that the EU would invite partners in New York to join a newly launched donor platform. It also aims to co-ordinate international efforts for the reconstruction of postwar Gaza once a permanent ceasefire is achieved.

EU pressure

Brussels views the Palestinian Authority (PA), which has been considerably weakened by Israel, as the only alternative to Hamas in governing Gaza. As its primary financial supporter, the EU increased its funding to the PA this year to €620 million in grants, up from €400 million in grants and loans in 2024.

The bloc also recently released €52 million in funding for UNRWA, though Ms Suica signalled hopes that, over time, the PA will assume responsibility for essential services. “Once they take over services, like health and education, they will be powerful enough to show that they can be a counterpart to Israel,” she said. “This is what we want to achieve.”

Gulf countries as well as OECD states, including the UK, Australia and Japan, would be considered strong partners to the new donor platform. There is a widespread view that the US mediates conflicts in the region while the EU finances reconstruction – but Ms Suica wants that to change, pointing to the Middle East's geographical proximity to Europe. Her motto is: “We want to be a player, not only a payer.”

Palestinians in Gaza gather to receive food from a charity kitchen. Reuters

While the New York conference is not expected to yield immediate decisions, it aims to offer a renewed political horizon for resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Participants are set to express their concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Yet both Israel and the US will be absent, and France's stated intention to issue its own recognition of Palestine at a follow-up leaders' meeting in September has angered Israel.

Despite Israel's reputation suffering a blow during the Gaza war, EU unity on the conflict remains fragile – a fact recognised by Ms Suica. “Let's see whether this conference in New York will help, because it will be worldwide, and I am sure that they [Israelis] also don't want to have such an image in the world,” she said.

EU countries failed last week to adopt of any of the 10 measures put forward by the bloc's foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, after her services found that Israel had breached a human rights clause enshrined in its relations with the bloc. Her proposals included suspending trade preferences and scientific partnerships.

All options

One measure that did gain consensus was a deal to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. Yet EU ambassadors in Brussels were reported to have been widely dissatisfied with its roll-out and impact at their first update this week.

Ms Kallas on Tuesday warned that “all options remain on the table if Israel doesn’t deliver on its pledges”. Her office did not answer a question from The National asking whether she would participate in the upcoming conference in New York.

Israel has killed close to 60,000 Gazans in 21 months of war, after around 1,200 died in Hamas-led attacks in Israel.

Ms Suica reiterated the EU's insistence on Israel keeping border crossings open to ensure the flow of humanitarian assistance. “They opened some crossings, but still, we are monitoring closely what's going on. We need more,” she said.

Regional efforts

In addition to her work on Palestine, Ms Suica has been actively engaging with Middle Eastern partners to forge long-term region-to-region co-operation. This includes a strategic partnership signed with Jordan in January and discussions on green energy initiatives with Morocco, such as maritime port decarbonisation.

She described the frequent accusation that such partnerships are focused solely on keeping migrants out of Europe as false. “We don't impose anything. We don't have a template,” Ms Suica said. There has also been a measure of behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts, with the Israeli, Palestinian and Syrian foreign ministers sitting at the same table at a meeting in Brussels last week.

In June, Ms Suica announced a €175 million aid package for Syria. She recalls being told during meetings with Syria's Finance Ministry and central bank governor that while the country was happy to see the EU return after the fall of the Assad regime, there was fear of European interference. “We don't want to interfere, but we want to accompany you. We want to assist you,” she answered.

On Palestine, the philosophy is the same, she said, pointing to its financial support for the PA. “I cannot predict what will happen, but we are doing our best to achieve a two-state solution,” Ms Suica said.

Dubravka Suica meets Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Co-operation Council. Photo: @dubravkasuica / X