European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is facing intense scrutiny and accusations of hypocrisy following revelations about private discussions on gas imports from Qatar, a known financier of Hamas.
The controversy stems from a reported meeting in the weeks following Hamas's October 7th attack on Israel. While von der Leyen was publicly championing Israel's right to self-defence and condemning the militants, she was allegedly engaged in talks to secure more liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Gulf state.
A Clash of Values and Energy Security
According to a source familiar with the matter, the EU chief's chief of staff, Björn Seibert, raised the issue of increasing gas supplies during a conversation with Qatar's Prime Minister. This move has been criticised as a stark contradiction to the EU's tough public stance on Hamas and its supporters.
Qatar has long been a central mediator in the region but also provides a financial lifeline to Hamas, with an estimated £100 million in annual funding flowing to Gaza. This has placed the nation in a complex diplomatic position.
Mounting Political Pressure
The reports have ignited a firestorm in Brussels. MEPs from across the political spectrum are demanding transparency, questioning whether the bloc's moral stance is being compromised for the sake of energy security.
German MEP Reinhard Bütikofer stated, "The European Commission must explain itself. We cannot condemn Hamas on one day and negotiate a expanded gas deal with its main financier the next."
This incident threatens to undermine von der Leyen's authority and the EU's unified message on the Gaza conflict, highlighting the difficult balance between geopolitical principles and practical energy needs.
