European diplomatic efforts against Israel are gaining momentum, amid expectations of escalating anger
The actions of Israeli soldiers toward European peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, UNIFIL, have led to an escalation of diplomatic pressure on Tel Aviv.
Spain and Italy requested explanations from Israel after its soldiers in Lebanon detained a Spanish United Nations peacekeeper and fired warning shots at an Italian convoy.
These incidents mark another downturn in Israel’s relations with Europe, already severely strained by the war in Gaza and now further exacerbated by Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Lebanon.
Italy’s Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, stated on Wednesday that Italy “demands full respect for the role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)” after Italian UN peacekeepers were exposed to “warning shots fired by Israeli forces.”
Later that day, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed Italy’s solidarity with Lebanon regarding the “unjustified and unacceptable attacks it is subjected to by Israel.”
He added, “We want to prevent another Gaza from happening.”
Furthermore, Italy summoned the Israeli ambassador — a diplomatic step used to express strong dissatisfaction — to clarify the incident.
This option is no longer available to Spain, as Israel had already withdrawn its ambassador from Madrid, a step reciprocated by the Spanish government last month.
Dana Erlich, the chargé d’affaires and a lower-ranking official, now represents Israel diplomatically in Spain. The Spanish Foreign Ministry therefore summoned Erlich “to protest the unjustified detention of a Spanish UNIFIL soldier by the Israeli army.”
UNIFIL announced on Tuesday that the Israeli army had detained one of its peacekeepers.
Subsequently, Spain’s Defense Minister, Margarita Robles, confirmed that the arrest took place after “the interception of a supply convoy.”
Sánchez’s position
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned Israeli operations in the region in a post on “X”: “Today alone, (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu) Netanyahu carried out his harshest attack on Lebanon since the beginning of the offensive. His disregard for life and international law is intolerable.”
Sánchez also called on the European Union to suspend the association agreement with Israel and to include Lebanon in the ceasefire agreement between Iran, the United States, and Israel announced Tuesday evening.
These concerns are also shared by some members of the European Commission. Commissioner Hadja Lahbib stated on the platform “X” that “the brutal attacks carried out today by (Israel) against Lebanon, which resulted in more than 100 deaths and over 700 injuries, constitute a disgraceful act.”
The criticism is not limited to Israel’s usual detractors. According to the American magazine Politico, several European governments have attempted to dissuade Israel from continuing its ground operation in Lebanon.
Even countries that did not sign joint statements, such as Germany — a strong ally of Israel — have criticized the Israeli government in recent weeks.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated last March that “annexation measures” in the occupied West Bank would constitute “a grave mistake.”
According to Politico, the patience of European Union governments regarding Israel’s ongoing operations in Lebanon is likely to wear thin more rapidly in the coming period.
