Katrougalos: Continued arms sales to Israel an "unfortunate situation"
In a statement to Anadolu Agency during the 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Katrougalos commented on the developments in Gaza and the occupied West Bank following the intensified Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023.
"A tragedy is unfolding in Gaza. Tens of thousands of civilians, most of whom are children and women, have been killed," Katrougalos said. He stressed that the international community cannot remain passive in the face of these crimes.
Katrougalos urged countries to exert pressure on Israel to halt the conflict in Gaza and to urgently achieve a ceasefire.
He recalled the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) clear ruling that Israel's occupation of all Palestinian territories is illegal. "This applies to both the West Bank and Gaza. Any violence against the people in these occupied territories is prohibited under international law. I am very concerned about the situation in the West Bank because I see a clear escalation in the attacks by Israel. I hope international pressure can prevent further worsening of the situation," Katrougalos added.
Katrougalos noted that both the ICJ and the International Criminal Court (ICC) have been doing their utmost in this process. He mentioned that ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan’s request for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is still pending.
"EU Still Divided"
Katrougalos also referenced UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ remarks about the Security Council’s response to the situation in Gaza, suggesting that it threatens the Council’s credibility. He pointed out that many countries are acting with double standards, stating, "If this continues, it will not only affect Palestine but also the future of multilateralism and the UN itself."
He expressed disappointment over European countries' interventions in international court cases, stating, "It is unfortunate that European countries continue to sell arms to Israel under these circumstances. The European Union (EU) remains divided. Countries like Spain and Ireland advocate for halting the war and recognizing the state of Palestine, while others remain silent. I find this very distressing and something that we need to change in the future."
Katrougalos, reflecting on Greece’s past support for Palestinian rights, lamented that recent steps taken by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' government have been "regressive" in this regard.
