EFA MEPs demand stronger EU action as the Gaza genocide deepens further

Strasbourg, 10 September 2025 – Following President Von Der Leyen’s State of the Union address, the European Free Alliance Group (EFA) acknowledges the limited measures announced, including a fund for the reconstruction of Gaza.

However, as evidence of genocide becomes undeniable, EFA Members of the European Parliament are urging the European institutions to take far stronger and immediate action. This week, MEPs are negotiating a resolution on Gaza, due to be voted on Thursday. The Greens/EFA Group is calling for an immediate ceasefire, a full arms embargo, and the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, not the partial suspension as announced by President Von Der Leyen.

We welcome the sanctions imposed on Israeli ministers and violent settlers, but these measures are far too little, far too late.

Since the massacre of 7 October, which we unequivocally condemn, Israel has escalated its attacks not only against Palestine but also Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iran and, as of yesterday, Qatar. Yet the EU continues to fund and engage with a state that openly disregards international law.

We also strongly condemn the violent attacks against the Freedom Flotilla delegation, humanitarian activists attempting to break the siege of Gaza and deliver desperately needed food and medical supplies to its people.

The European Free Alliance stands firmly for peace, justice and human rights. It is time for the European Union to do the same.

Diana Riba i Giner, EFA Group President:

The European Union cannot continue to look away while thousands of civilians are being slaughtered in Gaza. Our values and treaties clearly commit us to defending human rights and international law, yet the EU is failing to uphold them.

As EFA, we demand an immediate ceasefire, the total suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and an arms embargo. While we welcome the proposed actions and sanctions from Von der Leyen, we have to go further. 

Europe must choose: either it stands firmly for peace and justice, or it risks losing all moral credibility in the eyes of its citizens and the world. The time for empty words is over — the EU must act now.

Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, EFA MEP, said:

Today’s SOTEU looks like a turning point in the Commission position. Although late and far from enough, we welcome this step. But we believe the Commission must be much more forceful in its response to Gaza. We want to see a full arms embargo and we want to see an end to trade with Israel now. That is why we welcome the suspension of the trade provisions in the EU–Israel Association. The Commission should also trigger measures (such as Article 7 TEU) against Member States that are failing to meet their international obligations, whether by trading arms with Israel, failing to cooperate with the ICC, or simply not doing everything possible to stop the genocide.

Ana Miranda Paz, EFA MEP, said:  

As a Galician MEP, I condemn the European Union's hypocrisy and its Member States which in two years they were unable to reach an agreement to sanction Israel’s ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.

I call, once again to the end of the Association Agreement in between Israel and the EU. Only by imposing economic sanctions to Israel we will put enough pressure to end this horrible massacre.

Cohesion policy is at stake due to the militarist drift by Lady War, Ursula von der Leyen. It is at risk to continue financing social services, infrastructure for the people. We do not want a Europe that uses money for the people to be diverted into weapons and bombs.