EU studying platitudes on human rights

It is inconceivable that EU diplomats necessitate any more awareness regarding the immense restrictions and human rights violations inflicted upon Palestinians by Israel. Yet, the Palestine News Network has reported that EU diplomats based in Ramallah and Jerusalem visited Palestinian communities living in Abu Nuwar and Khan Al-Ahmar. Both locations have been targeted by Israeli authorities through demolition orders, resulting in displacement as well as Israel’s favourite past time of disrupting any semblance of education for Palestinian children.

Rhetoric regarding the perfunctory visit was unrivalled in complacency reminiscent of what is regularly stated in international institutions. According to the news report, the objective of the diplomats’ visit was “to gain a first-hand impression of the coercive environment these communities find themselves in”. Feigning oblivion, therefore, still remains a priority for the EU, in order to fulfil the next part of the stated objective, which was “to demonstrate concern at the humanitarian impact of any demolitions and forced transfer of population, and to express the EU’s commitment to a sustainable future for the Palestinian communities in Area C.”

If the EU intended any constructive coherence, it was immediately lost. For decades, Palestine has been bludgeoned due to an absence of political will to address colonialism. The alternative, which has been imposed upon Palestinians by the international community, including the EU, has been that of turning Palestine into a bottomless pit of detailed research, statistical analysis and information gathering, all geared towards sustaining the obsolete two-state imposition.

An attempt to portray inclusion of Palestinian opinion was the diplomats’ meeting with Palestinian community leaders “who briefed them about demolitions taking place in their communities, including of the local schools”. What will become of the gleaned information once the political excursion reached its conclusion and diplomats were once again safely ensconced within their privileged abodes is, of course, an untold sequel.

Untold, however, does not equal unpredictable. The EU is not averse to shrugging off any accountability and responsibility towards Palestinians, in the same manner the UN continues to shift attention from human rights violations by talk of hope, opportunity and security. So far, any international endeavour has been replete with contradictions stemming from the premise that human rights violators ought to develop a conscience and hold themselves accountable for breaking every clause enshrined within international law.

Of course, such projection is also a reflection of how the international community, inclusive of the EU, has repeatedly absconded from any accountability as regards Palestine. Hence, the reports following such visits can be read and interpreted within a wider framework of what constitutes human rights violations and the identity of the perpetrators. In failing to end Israeli colonisation of Palestine, the EU is ensuring its role in sustaining the violence remains questioned from afar, without the burden of repercussions. This also means that the EU can continue to dictate unabashedly, pandering to Israel’s demands and showering Palestinians with ineffective, symbolic gestures. Meanwhile, in the visited communities and in the consciousness of EU diplomats, Palestinian children have had their existence ruptured twice: by Israel in its demented demolitions and displacement; and by the diplomats whose recognition of Palestinian children deprived of the right to education does not exist beyond the scope of a brief political interlude.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.