In The Guardian, a platform denounces the EU’s “structural racism” against Gaza

In a platform published this Tuesday in the famous British daily newspaper The GuardianShada Islam, political analyst based in Brussels and specialist in European affairs, accuses the European Union of inaction in the face of “genocide in progress” in Gaza and denounces a “structural racism” rooted in its policies. For her, Palestinian suffering is reduced to a simple humanitarian crisis when it results from a deliberate political choice.

She recalls that the EU is Israel’s first trading partner, but that it refuses to use the many levers at its disposal: suspension of the association agreement, exclusion of research programs or economic sanctions. The rare proposals in this sense were blocked by countries like Germany and Italy, while Israeli exports to Europe continued to grow. Shada Islam underlines the striking contrast between the firm and immediate reaction of the EU in the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and its silence in the face of the devastation of Gaza. According to her, this difference illustrates a persistent colonial and racial bias, which dehumanizes the Palestinians as it dehumanizes other racialized and migrant populations.

It calls on Europe to a real examination of consciousness. The EU, which likes to present itself as champion of international law, mine its own credibility by its double standards. Updating the 2020 anti -racism action plan could be a step forward, but it requires a clear political will and recognition of the colonial inheritances that still weigh on its choices. Finally, Shada Islam insists on the urgency: to stop Israeli projects of total Gaza occupation, allow the massive entry of humanitarian aid and impose an immediate cease-fire. For her, without questioning its structural racism, Europe will remain an accomplice of the oppression of the Palestinian people.