(Strasbourg) Wars, migration, COP28: in the premises of the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is dealing with many topical issues just before the European Council, which will convene to Brussels the 27 Heads of State and Government of the European Union as from tomorrow. She begins with the conflict that is taking place in the Holy Land: “The rise in violence by settlers (Israelis) is inflicting enormous suffering on the Palestinians” in the West Bank, “jeopardising the chances of achieving a lasting peace. That is why I am in favour of imposing sanctions on the perpetrators of the attacks in the West Bank. They must be held accountable. That violence has nothing to do with combating Hamas and it must stop”. Von der Leyen emphasises that Israel is entitled to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks and states: “Israel has the right to do everything it can to ensure that there will never be a horrific event like the one that happened on 7 October again. Having said that, Israel also has a duty to do everything it can to protect civilians, even if Hamas uses them as human shields. Hamas could put an end to that by stopping the fighting. By freeing the hostages”.