In an unprecedented statement against Israel by a European Union official, Spanish Commissioner Teresa Rivera described “genocide” the actions in Gazaaccusing the EU of inactivity and division, as international outcry is intensified and countries such as France, Belgium, Spain and Ireland recognize or prepare to recognize the Palestinian state.

This is the fastest condemnation to date by Brussels.

Teresa Rimmera, Executive Vice President of the European CommissionHe also said that Europe is very divided to be able to do something about hunger, displacement and murders of Palestinians.

“Genocide in Gaza reveals Europe’s failure to act and speak with a voice, while demonstrations are spreading to European cities and 14 UN Security Council members are calling for a immediate ceasefire,” Ribera said in a speech at the sciences.

The Spanish commissioner has been one of the most severe critics in Brussels of the Israeli attack on Gaza. Yesterday’s speech, however, marks the first time Teresa Ribbera explicitly described the situation as genocide.

Her statements come as Israel is confronted with increasing international convictioneven from many of its traditional allies, in view of the UN General Assembly this month in New York.

The Belgian government has announced this week that it will join a group of countries that recognize the Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly and impose sanctions on Israel for the Gaza war. In July, French President Emmanuel Macron had stated that France would recognize a Palestinian state at the UN meeting, while more than twelve Western countries have expressed the same intention.

Ireland and Spain itself, the home of Rivera, officially recognized the Palestinian state in 2024.

However, the European Union remains divided over whether it will impose sanctions on Israel, as countries such as Germany and Hungary reject appeals to suspend EU trade agreement with Israel.

The European Commission as an institution, as well as most European governments, so far avoid using the term “genocide”, which in legal terms describes actions aimed at destroying a people as a whole or in part. At the same time, a case is pending against Israel in the International Court of Justice in The Hague, filed by South Africa.

Earlier this week, leading experts in the study of genocide worldwide approved a resolution that Israel’s actions meet the legal definition of the term.

Israel has rejected the charges of genocide. The Israeli government argues that businesses in Gaza constitute self -defense in response to Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people, most civilians.

Ribera has previously expressed its disappointment on EU inactivity on Gaza. In an interview with Politico last month, she had called on the Union to consider suspending the connection agreement with Israel, even proposing countries that are simply oppressing abstinence.

In her speech at Sciences Po, the Spanish commissioner did not go into details of what the EU should do, but extended to other issues, such as Russia’s war in Ukraine, geopolitical tensions and climate change.

“All this is not limited or individual threats, but challenges for fundamental freedoms and the rights to which our societies and our relationships have been built,” he said, adding: “Silence in the face of injustice … cannot be acceptable.”

The European Commission had not responded to a commentary request.