BRUSSELS/ISTANBUL
A European Parliament member (MEP) on Thursday denounced the European “hypocrisy” in universal human rights and the underestimation of the humanitarian situation in Gaza by Polish officials.
“It shows how hypocritical Europe is when it speaks of 'universal human rights',” Belgian MEP Marc Botenga told Anadolu.
The remarks came as Polish Minister for European Affairs Adam Szlapka and his colleague were joking and laughing during a plenary session on Tuesday on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“Such disdain for human life, for Palestinians as human beings, is an absolute scandal,” Botenga said, underlining that Szlapka and his colleague should be “deeply ashamed” and apologize.
Botenga also shared a video on X showing the moment he warned Szlapka during the session, asking him to stop laughing.
❝You were laughing while we are talking about the death of I don't know how many Palestinians and a population which is starving❞
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) March 13, 2025
❝This is characteristic of the EU, you don't care about the Palestinians❞
EU Parliament member Botenga criticizes Poland’s EU Minister Szlapka… pic.twitter.com/dDAc3UH75e
“It's not funny, Palestinians are human beings too. You should be ashamed of yourselves. And that's what's so characteristic of the European Union today. A contempt for the lives of Palestinians,” he said.
He also underscored that although they mentioned the worsening situation in Gaza, they did not talk about the reason behind it.
“Why is it getting worse? Because Israel is blocking all humanitarian aid, all food, and even electricity,” Botenga said, highlighting that this leaves Palestinians without access to basic needs.
“So today, this European complicity and lack of respect for the lives of the Palestinians must come to an end, because there will be a price to pay. I promise you that,” Botenga further added.
Over 48,500 people have been killed, mostly women and children, in a brutal Israeli onslaught on Gaza since October 2023. The assault was paused under a ceasefire and prisoner swap deal, which took hold in January.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.