Lebanon is bleeding. Europe must respond.
Renew Europe reaffirms its full solidarity with the Lebanese people. We fully endorse the position of the President of Lebanon who has set out a clear framework for negotiations: “No compromise, no concession, and no acceptance of what does not serve Lebanese sovereignty.” While the full disarmament of Hezbollah is a legitimate objective, it must not come at the cost of Lebanon’s sovereignty or be used as leverage against its people.
Lebanon is caught in a conflict it did not choose, squeezed between Israeli military operations that struck Beirut’s neighbourhoods, razed entire villages and now occupy a substantial portion of its territory, and Hezbollah’s which has acted for decades as Iran’s proxy. The human cost is devastating: over 1.2 million people displaced, more than 2,000 killed and 7,000 injured, massive destruction, and an enormous reconstruction bill for a country already on its knees. This humanitarian crisis demands an urgent European response.
Renew Europe strongly condemns Israel’s ongoing violations of the ceasefire. Lebanese civilian casualties from Israeli airstrikes are being reported every single day. Israel’s legitimate security concerns cannot justify destruction of this scale. That ceasefire was imposed by the United States, and Washington must now remind its ally of its obligations.
As Christophe Grudler (Modem, France), Renew Europe’s shadow rapporteur on Lebanon, put it:
“Lebanon is one of the few democracies in the Middle East. Our role is to help it develop, and in particular to help it disarm Iran-funded militias. Our role is not to watch the country disappear under Israeli bombs.”
Christophe GrudlerRenew Europe MEP, France, Mouvement Démocrate
The group also expresses its gravest concern over the killing of a Lebanese journalist in an Israeli airstrike. According to Reporters Without Borders, evidence strongly suggests a deliberate targeting. This is an intolerable attack on press freedom and must be firmly condemned.
Barry Andrews (Fianna Fáil, Ireland), chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Development, was unequivocal:
“Even during this so-called ceasefire, the number of journalists and media workers being killed is shocking. As chair of the Development Committee, which oversees EU humanitarian aid efforts, I will keep what is happening in Lebanon on the agenda. When I was in Beirut last month, I saw the suffering of civilians first hand. Hezbollah must stop the rockets, but the EU must also act by putting sanctions on Israel back on the table. Empty political statements against war crimes are of no use.”
Barry AndrewsRenew Europe MEP, Ireland, Fianna Fáil Party
Renew Europe urges the EU to actively support efforts toward a durable political solution - one that is inclusive and regionally owned. The fragile ceasefire must deliver real outcomes: Israeli withdrawal and internationally supervised disarmament of Hezbollah. Lebanon is not a peripheral crisis. It is a test of Europe’s ability to act in its own neighbourhood.