War is spreading in the Middle East. We call for a comprehensive ceasefire and international accountability.

In the last week, the war in the Middle East has escalated and is now engulfing Lebanon, while Iran and Israel are exchanging long range strikes with unforeseen consequences. Europe and the rest of the world can no longer remain spectators to a conflict that is displacing and killing ever greater numbers of civilians and steadily spreading. This war will not stop on its own. The European Union and its member states have remained irrelevant by acting uncoordinatedly and incoherently. Now it is time to step up and help bring about a comprehensive ceasefire. Security will not be achieved through continuous war, which will also not bring the hostages home. Instead, the consequences will be paid by civilians in Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Iran and wherever else the war spreads.

The signs of escalation have been there for months. The international community has had ample time to take action to prevent it but has so far failed to apply sufficient pressure for a comprehensive ceasefire. The Biden administration tabled a ceasefire plan, but has failed to draw red lines and continues to support Israel’s military actions. The US is unlikely to take daring initiatives a month before its own elections. The potential for an even further spread of the war is very real. Israel will certainly retaliate against Iran’s launch of ballistic missiles in its territory, Hezbollah has threatened attacks even on the territory of Cyprus, a neighbouring EU member state, and Israel has launched strikes as far away as Yemen, against the Houthis who have openly sided with Iran and its allies.

Volt urges the European Union and its member states to unite and step up their mediation role for a comprehensive ceasefire – in Gaza, in Lebanon, and between Iran and Israel. For a long-term sustainable peace in the region, renewed efforts must be made to restart the peace process in light of the recent UN resolution against Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories. The proposal by Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, which repeats previous peace overtures by the Arab League, can be a basis for negotiation.

The one million internal refugees in Lebanon need humanitarian support and the EU must provide help; the European Commission has already pledged 10 million euros. We hope to see more effort to rebuild the destruction brought about by this war across the entire region.

Finally, the easy acceptance of large numbers of civilian casualties as “collateral damage” must end. The EU must condemn unequivocally any armed operation that causes scores of civilian casualties, and work relentlessly to protect international law. Anything less than that will set dangerous precedents for the future.

By Francesca Romana D'Antuono and Mels Klabbers

Co-presidents Volt Europa