Tony Connelly

Europe Editor

Palestinian children receive aid food being distributed in the Deir al-Balah in central Gaza following the announcement of a truce

War in Gaza exposes EU's divisions and limited influence

The war in Gaza has starkly exposed deep EU divisions - and impotence - when it comes to influencing the worst conflicts in the Middle East, writes Tony Connelly

Analysis and Comment • 16 Jan

The European Commission confirmed that Israel was one of 11 countries outside the EU that continued to enjoy adequacy status

Concern over EU citizen data processed in Israel

Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan has written to Ireland's EU Commissioner Michael McGrath expressing concern that EU citizens whose data is processed in Israel may not have their rights protected under GDPR.

World • 16 Jan

EU-Israel Association Council will meet on 27 February

Gaza war to top agenda at long-awaited Israel-EU meeting

The Gaza war will be the first item on the agenda during a long-awaited and contentious meeting between Israel and the EU at the end of February, RTÉ News understands.

Europe • 16 Jan

Smoke rises from a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike at the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in central Gaza

Watch: A look back at 15 months of war in Gaza

The 7 October attack by Hamas left hundreds of Israelis massacred, and 250 taken hostage. It triggered an overwhelming response. The Israeli military unleashed a devastating air campaign, followed by a fuel and food blockade, followed by a land invasion.

Middle East • 15 Jan

Elon Musk has recently involved himself in European politics after emerging as a major backer of Donald Trump in the US

Elon Musk, Europe and the battle for online truth

Having helped re-elect Donald Trump with a $250 million donation and generous boosting on his X platform, Elon Musk has turned his gaze to Europe, notably the UK and Germany.

Analysis and Comment • 13 Jan

The World Economic Forum gets under way from 20-24 January (file image)

Era of increased cooperation 'definitely ended' - WEF CEO

The head of the World Economic Forum (WEF) has said the era of increased post-Cold War cooperation between countries on a range of global challenges has "definitely ended", ahead of the annual gathering in Davos.

World • 07 Jan

People walk past the European Commission headquarters building in Brussels, Belgium

Years of Living Dangerously: Europe looks ahead to 2025

As 2024 slips through its twilight days, the events of the past fortnight have been characteristic of a very turbulent year.

2024 in Review • 28 Dec 24

Many EU foreign ministers, including Tánaiste Micheál Martin, are attending a meeting in Brussels

EU foreign ministers discuss new Syrian leadership

The European Union should be ready to ease sanctions on Syria if the country's new leadership takes "positive steps" to establish an inclusive government, and respect women's and minority rights, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said.

Europe • 16 Dec 24

Following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, over one million refugees fled into Europe (file image)

Decisions over Syrian asylum must comply with rules - EU

The European Commission has said that the decision to return Syrian refugees and asylum seekers is the preserve of individual member states, but that under EU law, return procedures must be based on individual assessments of asylum applications.

Middle East • 10 Dec 24

President of the Italian Young Farmers' Organisation Enrico Parisi holds a sign reading 'Stop Mercosur' during a protest in Brussels

Govt to scrutinise EU-Mercosur deal, says McConalogue

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has said the Government will carefully scrutinise the detail of the EU-Mercosur trade deal before concluding whether or not Ireland will support or oppose the agreement.

Europe • 09 Dec 24