Netanyahu Slams EU’s Absence from Hamas Peace Talks, Says “Europe Has Bowed Before Terrorism”

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): As indirect talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Egypt to end the two-year-long conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a sharp attack on the European Union, accusing it of showing weakness and being completely absent from the peace process.

The talks, aimed at achieving a ceasefire and negotiating a hostage-prisoner exchange, have brought delegations from both sides to the table. According to sources, Hamas has put forward several conditions including a demand that Israeli forces withdraw from populated areas of Gaza and return to their earlier positions, in line with the January ceasefire agreement.

Additionally, Hamas has sought restrictions on Israel’s air operations, insisting that fighter jets and drones should remain grounded for at least 10 hours daily, and for 12 hours on the day prisoners are released.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu criticized the European Union for staying out of the ceasefire process altogether. Speaking to foreign media, he said Europe has “essentially bowed before Palestinian terrorism and radical Islamist minorities,” adding that the continent has “shown great weakness and become irrelevant.”

“What the European Union should have done, U.S. President Trump is doing — taking firm steps to eliminate terrorist elements,” Netanyahu said, drawing a contrast between European inaction and American intervention.

He further condemned the decision by 15 of the EU’s 27 member states to recognize a Palestinian state, urging those nations to reconsider their stance.

In a fiery comparison, Netanyahu remarked:

“Imagine if after 9/11, people said, ‘Alright, let’s give Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda their own state and not far from New York, but just a mile away.’ Would that promote peace? Of course not. You need strength first, and only then comes peace.”

The Israeli leader also accused European countries of pushing policies that could weaken Israel’s security and embolden its enemies.

“Now these European leaders want to weaken Israel so much that it ends up fighting another Palestinian state, not outside Jerusalem this time, but inside Jerusalem itself, and right above the hills of Tel Aviv. This is absurd,” he said.

Analysts say Netanyahu’s remarks reflect growing frustration in Israel over what it views as Europe’s diminishing diplomatic role in the Middle East, even as Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. continue to lead mediation efforts for a lasting truce.