EU leaders hold emergency summit over Middle East tensions

(Patria) - European Union leaders will hold an emergency summit on Tuesday as concerns grow that the war between Israel and Hamas could fuel tensions among communities in Europe and trigger a new wave of refugees.

"This conflict has many consequences, including for us in the European Union," said European Council President Charles Michel in a video statement announcing the virtual meeting. "The conflict could have major security implications for our societies".

Since the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, sparking the latest war in Gaza, France has banned pro-Palestinian demonstrations, while the number of antisemitic acts has increased.

The Louvre Museum in Paris and the Palace of Versailles evacuated visitors and staff after receiving bomb threats over the weekend. The French government has begun deploying 7,000 soldiers to bolster security across the country following a fatal school stabbing suspected to have been carried out by an Islamist extremist.

Germany has also increased security. Berlin has offered military aid to Israel and pledged to crack down on support for Hamas within the country. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has underlined Germany's historical responsibility for Israel's security.

Michel said the war "has the potential to exacerbate tensions between communities and fuel extremism" in Europe, and that "there is a high risk of migration and the movement of large numbers of people to neighboring countries".

He said leaders would discuss ways to help civilians in Israel and the Gaza Strip affected by the war and work with other countries in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf region to prevent the conflict from spreading.

More than a million people have fled their homes in Gaza ahead of an expected Israeli ground invasion aimed at destroying Hamas.

Michel condemned the "brutal terrorist attacks" and said "Israel has the right to defend itself in full compliance with international law and international humanitarian law."