-'It is very important that we raise our voice, because if we don't, we accept this complicity of our leaders. When I see EU leaders von der Leyen and Kallas basically accepting what Israel is doing, I feel very angry'

BRUSSELS / ISTANBUL 

Accusing the European Union of being complicit in Israel's war crimes, an outspoken European parliamentarian is calling on the bloc to slap sanctions on Israel in order to facilitate humanitarian aid access to Gaza.

Marc Botenga, one of the most vocal members of the European Parliament (MEP) on the Gaza issue, told Anadolu about the worsening humanitarian situation in the enclave due to Israel’s complete halt in humanitarian aid access for almost two months now.

"They are killing people deliberately, not only through bombs, but by basically denying all basic necessities. It's a crime, it's a war crime, it's a crime against humanity," said Botenga, who represents Belgium in the European Parliament.

He added: "The European Union is not putting pressure on Israel. They are talking the talk, but they're not walking the walk. There needs to be pressure. There needs to be sanctions. Otherwise, Israel will continue to do this, not only kill Palestinians, but also occupy the Gaza Strip."

Criticizing the EU’s “business as usual” attitude, including meetings, Botenga said: "There are meetings with Israel as if nothing is happening, as if (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu was not accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, as if the International Court of Justice did not clearly speak about the risk of genocide."

Blasting this situation as an “absolute disgrace,” he said it “creates a complicity from European states with what's going on."

Botenga decried how some European countries are still sending weapons to Israel, saying these commercial ties amount to "complicity with war crimes."

'I feel very angry'

Botenga, known for his criticism of figures like European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas during European Parliament sessions on Gaza, added: "It's very important that we raise our voice, because if we don't raise our voice, we accept this complicity of our leaders."

He said: "When I see von der Leyen, when I see Kaja Kallas, who are the leaders of this European Union, basically accepting what Israel is doing, I feel very angry."

He added: "This is exactly the opposite of what they claim to be doing ... this is going against humanity, against international law."

"It's support for Israeli colonialism, and this we can never accept."

Saying that the aid blockade on Gaza must be lifted immediately, he called for the EU to impose sanctions on Israel without delay, "for it to open all corridors of humanitarian aid into Gaza save lives."

'Absolute scandal'

Blasting Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever's statement that it would be unrealistic for Netanyahu to be arrested if he visits the country, Botenga said: "It's an absolute scandal. This is not a political opinion. Belgium is legally obliged. Our legal authorities are obliged to arrest Netanyahu, if he'll come.”

He said the statement was “an absolute scandal and not in line with international law, and that's very, very, very grave."

In addition to speaking out from the European Parliament floor, Botenga has also shown his support to public protests in Brussels, the Belgian capital.

From the EP podium, he has repeatedly voiced his frustration with the indifference of European Commission and Council representatives.

Botenga has also shared firsthand accounts of witnessing Israeli oppression during visits to Palestinian cities such as Nablus, Hebron, and Ramallah, all three in the West Bank.