BRUSSELS

Palestinian member of the Israeli Knesset Aida Touma-Suleiman on Thursday called on the European Union to take immediate action to halt what she described as the "genocide" in Gaza, sharply criticizing the bloc’s “hypocrisy” and “double standards” regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Speaking at a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the European Parliament in Brussels, Touma-Suleiman condemned the EU’s inaction amid ongoing fighting in Gaza, where she said more than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed.

“What does the (European) Commission need? A bigger genocide? A more clear starvation campaign?” she asked the crowd. “What do they need in order to act?”

Touma-Suleiman accused the EU of failing to uphold its stated values of peace, democracy, and human rights.

“It’s good that you are here to remind them,” she told demonstrators. “But I want those who are taking the decisions in the Commission to understand that hypocrisy doesn’t work, that double standard is not accepted.”

She urged the EU and the international community to act with urgency. “We are calling, first of all, to use all measures to put pressure to stop the genocide. Open the borders for humanitarian aid. People need to live, people need to eat and to drink in order to continue to survive,” she said.

“Later on, hold everyone responsible for taking part in this inside or outside Israel. Anybody who is sending weapons to Israel is responsible in the same manner,” she added.

Hunger Strike Planned

The protest in Brussels coincided with the announcement of a hunger strike set to begin June 16, organized by the House of Compassion and the Association of Palestinian Refugees for Dignity.

Demonstrators gathered in Luxembourg Square, directly in front of the European Parliament. Some activists dressed as Israeli soldiers, while others wore prison uniforms and knelt with their hands chained, evoking imagery of Palestinian detainees.

The event drew dozens of pro-Palestinian supporters, members of the European Parliament, EU staff, and the activists planning the five-day hunger strike.

Chants rang out during the protest, including “Stop the genocide,” “End the Israeli occupation,” “Lift the immunity,” and “Impose sanctions on Israel.”

Protesters also called for the release of Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament of Palestinian origin, who is reportedly being held by Israel. Organizers said Hassan was aboard the humanitarian ship "Madleen," intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters while delivering aid to Gaza.

Daniel Alliet, the priest of Brussels’ Beguinage Church, announced his participation in the hunger strike and encouraged others to join.

In a joint statement, the organizing groups urged the EU to uphold international law and take “all necessary measures to stop the ongoing genocide.”