European Union measures on the war in Gaza should focus on changing the situation on the ground rather than punishing Israel, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said Wednesday.
“It is in our interest to achieve results through means other than heavy pressure,” Budrys told reporters ahead of a government meeting. “Measures should be specifically aimed at changing the situation, rather than simply finding something we could punish Israel with. Such an approach is short-sighted and will not give us the desired result.”
The 27-nation bloc remains divided over how to respond to the conflict, which has hindered efforts to take joint action against Israel even as public anger over the humanitarian crisis grows.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has long positioned herself as a staunch ally of Israel, signalled a tougher approach last week. She said she would propose measures including sanctions against far-right Israeli ministers and restrictions on trade ties, stressing that hunger must not be used as a weapon of war.
Budrys said Lithuania had not yet seen concrete proposals from Brussels. “When we receive them, we will assess them,” he said. “In general, we are in favour of making maximum use of diplomatic channels, of serious and tough talks with Israel, making it very clear what our expectations are and what is unacceptable.”
The remarks came a day after UN investigators accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza since October 2023, with the aim of destroying the Palestinian population there. Israel’s government has categorically rejected it is committing genocide.
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