Europe Confronts Old Divisions in Israel-Hamas War

Welcome to the Brussels Edition, Bloomberg’s daily briefing on what matters most in the heart of the European Union.

The Israel-Hamas war risks further weakening European cohesion already tested by the war in Ukraine, the rise of populism and the cost-of-living crisis. Social strains are particularly acute in Germany given its recent history of migration and role in the Holocaust. It’s also home to one of the largest Palestinian populations outside the Middle East. Adding to the sense of unease are two attacks by suspected Islamists elsewhere in the region. Even though they don’t appear to be directly related to the war, governments have rushed to try and calm nervous citizens. After EU leaders held a video call yesterday, Council President Charles Michel said the conflict “is generating a lot of fragmentation, of divisions, of polarizations among our people.” A failure of the 27 leaders to speak with one voice is not helping. Read our rolling coverage of the war here.