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After the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the consequential rise of the cost of living all over Europe, the Middle East crises ignated by the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas represent another serious blow to the social and economic stability of the European Union. The shockwaves sent by the almost one-year conflict between the Israeli Defense Forces and Hamas in Gaza, with the later addiction of the rising tensions in the West Bank, in the Red Sea, and the Israeli bombing in Lebanon, all contribute to promoting a sentiment of deep concern in many EU governments and in the population of the Member States, with fear of a general regional conflict becoming every day more tangible. European citizens already witnessed the consequences of such an insatiable dynamic in the Middle East, with the energy and commercial setbacks of the Houthi rebels’ attack on merchant ships in the Red Sea that affected prices for commodities and fees for ship insurances, and thus for services in Europe.

In the last months we saw the profound impact of the humanitarian disasters in the Middle East that put pressure on the internal stability of the EU member states, looking at the political evolution but also on the presence of Muslim and Jewish communities in many countries. Public protests and a fierce debate in the media are just one side of the issue that revolves also on the increased number of terrorist attacks in Europe after the bloody season of the second half of the 2010s. Even before, the rise of extremist groups and the threat of terrorism in the European Union led to increased security measures, including stricter border controls, surveillance, and counter-terrorism initiatives. These measures have raised questions about civil liberties, human rights, and the balance between security and individual freedoms.

Then there is the issue linked to the influx of refugees and migrants into Europe. What happened in Gaza and the West Bank since October 2023 did not trigger a big shift in migrant arrivals in the EU, as the Syrian civil war and the Iraqi conflict did in the last decades. Still, other regional upheavals could force millions to flee their homes in search of safety and better opportunities, especially if the current high tensions in Lebanon will further intensify and evolve in a widespread regional conflict with the possible intervention of Iran. Mass migration has already placed enormous strain on European countries, leading to debates about immigration policies, social integration, and the distribution of resources, as well as the rise of the radical right parties in national and regional parliaments. A new wave of migrants from Lebanon or other Middle Eastern countries would aggravate the situation in many countries while also fueling hate speeches against Muslims and foreigners in the whole continent, as happened with Sirian citizens in the past.

In conclusion, the ongoing Middle East crisis had and will continue to have a profound impact on European societies in terms of security, migration, economic impact, and cultural implications. The EU, together with the international community, need to find sustainable solutions to address the challenges posed by the Middle East and to build more resilient and inclusive societies.

Written by: Francesco Marino