Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission

6.2.2024

No approval was sought from Headquarters for the paragliding action referred to by the Honourable Member.

Headquarters therefore does not have any detailed knowledge about the equipment used for this activity beyond the fact that Mr Kühn von Burgsdorff removed it from Gaza immediately after his flight. Mr Kühn von Burgsdorff is no longer employed by the European External Action Service.

In light of the above, the Commission is not in a position to assess whether there is any connection between the regrettable and inappropriate ‘paragliding’ action of Mr Kühn von Burgsdorff and the brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks committed by Hamas across Israel on and after 7 October 2023, which the EU has repeatedly condemned in the strongest possible terms.

The EU has a longstanding policy of supporting the two-state solution based on the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable State of Palestine*, living side by side in peace and security and mutual recognition, and with Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both states.

* This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.