Member of the European Parliament Marc Botenga criticized "Europe’s hypocrisy" when it talks about human rights, following jokes and laughter from the European Council representative, Minister Adam Szłapka, during a discussion on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

During his speech at a plenary session of the European Parliament on Gaza on Tuesday, Botenga noticed that Polish Minister for European Affairs Adam Szłapka was joking and laughing.

In response, Botenga said: "May I ask the Council to stop laughing? You were laughing when it was mentioned how many Palestinians have died and are still dying of hunger. You are joking and laughing—this is not funny. Palestinians are human beings. You should be ashamed of yourselves."

Botenga said that the European Parliament was discussing in its plenary session the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza due to the Israeli blockade.

With the end of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement at the beginning of March, Israel once again closed all crossings into Gaza to prevent the entry of humanitarian aid, in a move aimed at using starvation as a tool to pressure Hamas into accepting its demands. Israel also threatens further escalatory measures, up to the resumption of the genocide.

Botenga added: "Many members of parliament pointed out the inhumane and criminal suffering endured by the population, but in the midst of this extremely sensitive debate, Szłapka started joking with his colleague and burst out laughing during several speeches."

Botenga stated that "this mockery of human life and of Palestinians as human beings is a scandal by all standards."

He explained that Szłapka’s behavior "shows the extent of Europe’s hypocrisy when it talks about universal human rights."

He continued: "Szłapka and his colleague should be deeply ashamed and offer an apology."

With American support, since October 7, 2023, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza, resulting in more than 160,000 Palestinians killed and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 14,000 missing.