The debate has been initiated by the parliament's left group and French member Manon Aubry immediately strikes an angry tone in her opening speech.
–Genocide, genocide, genocide. I repeat this because you refuse to use that word, Ms Kallas, Aubry says angrily.
The EU's foreign minister tries to evade the criticism of the EU not acting sharply enough against Israel.
–Israel has the right to self-defence, but what we see in practice from Israel goes beyond that. We have made that clear several times in recent weeks. Every possible opportunity I have urged my Israeli counterpart to let aid flow in. Enough is enough, says Kallas – but without reacting to the genocide concept.
The debate takes place ahead of next week's meeting of foreign ministers in the EU when new discussions are expected on the trade and cooperation agreement that the EU has with Israel and which several countries and political groups now want to freeze.
The disagreement is however large – and also noticeable in the EU Parliament's debate.
–There is no ongoing genocide. Hamas bears the responsibility for the suffering of civilians in Gaza, says for example Swedish Beatrice Timgren (SD).
