Other topics addressed in the interview ranged from defense, the EU-U.S. trade deal and the situation in Gaza. Von der Leyen repeated that “true security” needed to be found for Israel while all Palestinians deserve “a secure present and future.”
The president said that the two-state solution is “the only prospect for lasting peace in the region.” The Israeli government’s actions in the last month are “a clear attempt to undermine” this solution, she said.
This is the reason why the Commission decided to propose a set of “targeted and proportionate measures” against Israel over findings of human rights abuses in Gaza, she said. Still, “I am aware that it is difficult to find majorities,” von der Leyen said.