Strasbourg plenary set for Gaza reconstruction and far-right ethics

The Wednesday debate on Gaza follows revelations that Israel has dismantled at least €150 million worth of EU-funded projects across the enclave and the West Bank. Transparency concerns persist, as the European Commission continues to withhold over a dozen audit reports detailing those investments. The Socialists & Democrats group is pushing for a clear accounting of the EU’s role, aiming to leverage the discussion to pressure foreign ministers into restricting trade with Israel. The scale of the crisis remains stark; the World Bank estimates over €30 billion in structural damage and a death toll exceeding 70,000 since October 2023.

Simultaneously, the assembly is weighing disciplinary action against the Europe of Sovereign Nations group. Members of the far-right faction, including representatives from Germany’s AfD, drew sharp condemnation for chanting "Send Them Back" and making aggressive gestures following a vote on new deportation regulations. Beyond these flashpoints, the plenary agenda spans technical and policy debates, ranging from updates to air passenger rights to the broader climate and enlargement strategies.