The German Commission President struck a serious tone directly in her annual speech to the EU Parliament.
Europe is drawn into a struggle, a struggle for a continent that is whole and at peace, for our values and our democracies, said von der Leyen.
Among the concrete news in the speech were fresh sharp proposals regarding Israel's actions in Gaza.
"Must do more"
What has happened in Gaza has shaken the world's conscience. Europe must do more, urged von der Leyen.
Therefore, the Commission is now formally proposing that the EU's trade agreement with Israel be paused and that sanctions be imposed on extremist Israeli ministers and settlers.
However, for this to become a reality, it is required that the EU's member states also say yes – which is far from given.
The message was nonetheless greeted with warm applause, not least from the large number from the left, the Social Democrats and the Greens who dressed in red before the speech, to show their solidarity with Gaza.
Support for Poland
The speech was otherwise much about Ukraine and the country's sacrifices. The EU leader promised continued support, more sanctions against Russia and also "full solidarity" with Poland after the Russian drone violation of the country's airspace.
She also struck a further blow for electric cars, warned of measures to restrict social media for young people and defended the Commission's trade agreements with the USA and Latin America.
During the speech, the far-right mainly criticized with shouts and interventions. Criticism also exists from many other parts of the parliament and creates a difficult balancing act for von der Leyen.
Divided group?
This also applies within her own Christian democratic conservative party group EPP, with different views on, among other things, Israel, climate policy and industrial support.
–Her problem is that she says one thing but needs to do another, because she doesn't have her own political group with her, comments Heléne Fritzon (S) after the speech.
Tomas Tobé (M) gives a thumbs up.
–I think she shows leadership and that she stands for what we need, a united Europe now, says Tobé in Strasbourg.
Wiktor Nummelin/TT
Facts: Thoughts on the speech
TT
This is what some of the Swedish EU parliamentarians say about Ursula von der Leyen's speech on the situation in the EU:
–It was promises here and there. What Ursula von der Leyen should have done was to promise to repeal the green light so that we can re-industrialize Europe, says Charlie Weimers (SD).
–It's a very pressured Ursula von der Leyen who speaks and it surprises me that she so stubbornly defends the trade agreement with the USA which only means disadvantages for us, believes Jonas Sjöstedt (V).
–I think it was a speech that invited consensus, unity and I think many felt it in the air. But then we hear the extremes shouting and screaming, says Karin Karlsbro (L).
