Statement on escalation of war in Libanon
By Reinier van Lanschot
Like all of us I am worried by the further escalation in Lebanon. If you don’t know immediately what to think about this, here is additional context.
The essence: Europe should unite its policy and support the quickest path to a just peace.
Since mid-September, we’ve seen an escalation of violence in Lebanon through a sophisticated attack on Hezbollah members and a series of Israeli airstrikes which have killed hundreds. A full ground invasion would further escalate the conflict.
These attacks followed months of rising tensions due to missile attacks and border clashes which have led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese and Israeli citizens on both sides of the border, and thousands of casualties.
This escalation is a spillover of the Israel-Hamas war, sparked by the Oct 7 massacre when Hamas murdered over a thousand Israeli civilians and took many hostages. Israel invaded Gaza in response.
The disproportionality and brutality of this response is horrible and led to the accusation by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) of breaches of international humanitarian law.
Hezbollah is the most heavily armed non-state actor in the world, designated as a terrorist organisation by many countries. In Lebanon it acts as a political party, security force and socio-economic service provider, particularly in the South and East.
Hezbollah is not popular amongst the Lebanese; 55% of the population has no trust in them. It has a veto over national policy, while the unstable Lebanese government has been unable to tackle the ongoing economic crisis that has plagued the country since the explosion in Beirut in 2020.
A ground invasion of Lebanon followed by a war of attrition could thus be a gift to Hezbollah. It could rekindle its claim to legitimacy as an Islamic resistance front, attract new recruits and radicalise the broader population through further socio-economic destabilization.
Socio-economic problems contribute to Hezbollah’s position in Lebanon and instability in the wider region. Only 13 percent of citizens think their situation will improve in the next two to three years. Food, water and electricity shortages are widespread.
Israelis have the right to safety and freedom. Meanwhile, Netanyahu and his far-right coalition partners try to undermine democracy and the rule of law, e.g. via weakening the independence of the Supreme Court. Civil society protests demonstrate that many Israelis want change.
We in Europe have the ability to contribute to safety for all citizens dragged into this conflict and a sustainable peace. The EU can push for the release of hostages, a permanent ceasefire and help reach a two state solution as soon as possible. This includes humanitarian aid, reconstruction efforts, and sustainable development of local economies.
So far, our diplomatic efforts have been fragmented. The EU’s 27 Member States vote differently on key resolutions in the UN General Assembly, which undermines our credibility and ability to meaningfully contribute to peace and security for all people affected in the region.
We need a united EU voice on global issues. This is achievable through a change from Unanimity to Qualified Majority Voting in foreign policy and empowering the Union with a real Foreign Ministry led by a Foreign Minister who can fully focus on this job alone.
A united European position is critical for the chance of success of global efforts at reaching a permanent ceasefire in the region, such as the recent Biden Plan which Israel has until now rejected.
Furthermore, the EU should actively support the restoration of legitimate Lebanese state authority in areas previously controlled by Hezbollah, if it is invited to do so. This could be followed by police, judicial and administrative capacity building and training.
Finally, it is crucial that we do not fall victim to double standards in the universal struggle to defend the rules-based international order and human rights. The independent and expert work of institutions like the ICJ and ICC must be respected, supported and implemented.
Volt believes the only way to achieve sustainable peace in the Levant, including a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel, is through transnational solidarity between communities. Let’s support all efforts to create that understanding, which takes incredible courage.
Let me end by saying that I can’t imagine what this conflict and all these deaths mean for those directly affected, but also their friends and family, over here in Europe and the rest of the world. I wish all of you strength and wisdom in these uncertain and difficult times.