The Influence of the European Union in Palestine after the 7th of October: Capabilities Undermined by Contradictions

This paper examines the European Union’s historical and contemporary role in Palestine, with particular attention to its response to Israel’s war and genocide in Gaza since October 2023 and the growing recognition of the State of Palestine by European countries. While acknowledging the EU’s long-standing financial and institutional support to Palestinians, the paper critically analyzes the gap between this support and the Union’s limited political action, internal consensus crisis, and continued double standards in applying international law. It highlights how the EU’s response has largely remained characterized by cautious statements, continued relations with Israel, and policies that have materially enabled the war, particularly when compared with its rapid and decisive measures following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The paper argues that despite possessing significant diplomatic, economic, and political influence, the EU has increasingly reduced its role in Palestine to that of a “payer” rather than an effective political actor capable of challenging the Israeli occupation or advancing Palestinian self-determination. It concludes by proposing recommendations across political, economic, advocacy, and civil society fields to strengthen the EU’s accountability and its contribution to achieving a sovereign, contiguous, and viable Palestinian state grounded in international law.