Reform UK Deputy Leader Ben Habib Warns of EU’s Potential to Jeopardise Middle Eastern Peace
Reform UK deputy leader, Ben Habib, has accused the European Union of failing to comprehend the complexities of the Middle East. Following EU member states’ push for Israel to cease its offensive against Hamas, Habib stated that the Brussels initiative underlines the bloc’s lack of understanding about the region. “The EU does not understand the Middle East if it thinks this is a good idea,” he voiced.
Elisabeth Bourne, France’s Prime Minister, has publicly sought a “humanitarian truce” which would allow the transport of essential supplies into Gaza due to looming concerns about a humanitarian catastrophe. While some EU sources seem inclined to back this proposal, the UK’s Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has reservations.
In a recent Parliamentary address, Sunak stated: “It is difficult to tell Israel to have a ceasefire when it is still facing rocket fire on an almost daily basis, and when its citizens are still being held hostage and it has suffered an appalling terrorist attack where it has a right to defend itself.”
Habib drew links between the EU’s stance and its previous attempts to circumvent Trump-imposed sanctions on Iran, suggesting a connection between Hamas’ actions and directives from Tehran. He remarked: “When Trump imposed sanctions on Iran, the EU tried to sidestep them… Hamas terrorised Israel under instructions from Tehran.” He criticised the EU’s lack of accountability for their past decisions and lambasted their renewed calls for Israel to lay down arms for “humanitarian reasons”.
Moreover, Habib pointed out what he perceives as EU’s consistent miscalculations in foreign policy. He cited Macron’s response to Ukraine and Germany’s financial support of Russia as examples.
Habib also took aim at the EU’s military ambitions, referencing the recent joint wargames in Spain, titled ‘Strategic Compass’, which involved almost 3,000 troops from 19 member states. “To support its desire to meddle internationally, the EU is rapidly developing its own military command structures,” warned Habib. He underscored the risks, concluding, “NATO has kept the peace in Europe, not the EU. Based on precedent, the EU threatens peace.” Source
