The European Union Heads of State and Government held an extraordinary video conference, for the first time since the outbreak of the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas. The purpose of the one-and-a-half to two-hour meeting was for EU leaders to find a common voice and a common message regarding events in the Middle East.

The Hungarians did not participate in Tuesday’s meeting of EU heads of state and government. Eurologos learned from Council sources that Viktor Orbán stayed away from the meeting. The Hungarian Prime Minister was in China at the time, where he had previously met with the Chinese and Russian presidents. The Council President’s spokesman also confirmed this information, adding that – at Orbán’s request – Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer represented Hungary at the meeting.

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After the summit, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, said that just as the European Union defended its values ​​with regard to Ukraine, this also applies to Ukraine.

It must be valid everywhere and at all times.

According to Michel, the union’s position must be unified, coherent and consistent, “because we are a valuable union.”

The President of the Council also spoke about how the European Union is constantly monitoring the situation and is in close contact with actors in the region, while providing humanitarian support with the participation of the United Nations, also in the form of food, medicine and electricity. As a participant in the evacuation of foreign citizens.

Chalice Michel emphasized that the conflict in the Middle East causes division in European societies, therefore

Tension and security risks must be reduced, and hate speech, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and racism must be combated.

The president stated that only one country would benefit from this conflict: Russia. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, spoke of how Hamas has also caused pain to the Palestinian people, since

They are the terrorists, not the Palestinian people.

He stressed that “Israel has the right to defend itself in accordance with international and humanitarian law.”

Roberta Mizzola, President of the European Parliament, who visited Israel last week with von der Leyen, also spoke at the summit.

The reality on the ground is terrible, tragic and desperate

– Mitsola summed up. He added that it is important for the European Union to express its solidarity, reject terrorism, and help in the release of nearly 200 hostages.

We must stress that, in accordance with our obligations and international law, we must continue to search for solutions that mitigate the humanitarian consequences in Gaza.

He said in his speech. Member state leaders did not issue a separate statement after the summit.

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