As October approaches marking the second anniversary of the Gaza war, the European arena witnesses a political and diplomatic repositioning reflecting complex balances between public opinion pressure on one side and government calculations on the other.

From Brussels to Madrid, Europe takes varied steps in dealing with the war amid escalating human rights and humanitarian rhetoric contrasted by hesitancy in official policies at the EU level.

Since the outbreak of the war, European streets have been scenes of unprecedented protests. According to the Spanish newspaper 20 Minutos, hundreds of thousands marched in London, Berlin, Paris, and Madrid, holding slogans demanding a ceasefire and sanctions on Israel. This popular momentum can no longer be ignored, forcing governments to gradually reconsider their positions, turning the scene into a true test of Europe’s commitment to its declared human rights values.

Politically, the Spanish newspaper El Diario noted that the European Union issued several official statements through the European Council and European Parliament calling for an “immediate and sustainable ceasefire.” The debate over freezing the EU-Israel trade partnership agreement has also resurfaced strongly, although no practical decision was made due to opposition from countries like Germany and Hungary, which continue to side with Tel Aviv.

Conversely, bolder stances emerged from some European capitals. Spain, Ireland, and Belgium publicly called for an arms embargo on Israel and filed legal cases before the International Court of Justice accusing the Israeli army of war crimes. Madrid also joined an international coalition seeking to end what it described as “Israel’s impunity,” reflecting a notable shift in Spanish foreign policy.

One of the most significant shifts in the continent concerns the recognition of the Palestinian state. France, Britain, Spain, Ireland, and Norway took a historic step by officially recognizing Palestine, followed by Slovenia, Malta, and Luxembourg.

These recognitions sent a strong message that the political solution to the conflict cannot ignore the Palestinians’ right to self-determination and directly responded to European public pressure rejecting unconditional support for Israel.

Economically, the newspaper La Economista explained that some European countries made tangible decisions with symbolic and practical dimensions. Norway, for example, halted its sovereign wealth fund investments in companies linked to Israeli settlements, while Denmark suspended certain arms deals. Meanwhile, Italy and Greece continued to strengthen their security cooperation with Israel, highlighting deep divisions within the European house.

On the humanitarian front, Brussels announced a record increase in aid budget allocated to Gaza, dedicating over 500 million euros to civilian relief. However, this move faced widespread criticism, accusing the European Commission of double standards due to its continued funding of joint projects with Israeli companies in technology and defense sectors.

The European scene appears contradictory, with broad popular solidarity and advanced government decisions in some countries, yet internal divisions prevent a unified and firm European stance. As the second anniversary of the war approaches, questions rise: Does this movement mark the beginning of a strategic shift in Europe’s policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, or will economic and political pressures continue to restrain any radical decision beyond symbolism into action?

What seems certain is that the upcoming anniversary will not pass silently. Scheduled protests in several European capitals, alongside accelerating legal and diplomatic steps, reflect that the Palestinian cause is once again at the heart of European debate, and the second Gaza war may reshape Europe’s position between promises of values and pressures of interests.