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Divisions in Europe about Israel’s incursion into Gaza were laid bare yesterday when the EU failed to coordinate a united response and rival peace missions headed to the region.

President Sarkozy of France, who has led calls for a ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, prepared to travel to Jerusalem today at the start of a four-day freelance mission.

Meanwhile, the Czechs, leading the official EU diplomatic visit which was due to start in Cairo last night, caused confusion by calling the Israeli move defensive, then insisting later that this was a misunderstanding and joining the general call for a ceasefire.

Carl Bildt, the Swedish Foreign Minister and a member of the EU mission, added to the splintered response by criticising Israel for having chosen to increase the situation dramatically.

The failure to present a united front could not have come at a worse time for the EU because of its opportunity to lead the global response during the leadership vacuum in the US.

The blame will be shared by the Czechs, who have just taken over the rotating EU presidency from France, and Mr Sarkozy, who believes that he has a personal duty to see through peace mediation, which he began while holding the EU presidency. Bernard Kouchner, the French Foreign Minister, will remain with the EU team.

The Dutch weighed in yesterday with the Prime Minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, showing sympathy for Israel and arguing that the offensive could not be condemned as long as Hamas was firing rockets. Gordon Brown called for an immediate ceasefire although he called Israel’s ground offensive “a very dangerous moment”.

The Czechs have shown more sympathy for the Israeli situation than their EU counterparts.

A spokesman said on Saturday that the Israeli land assault was “more defensive than offensive” but Karel Schwarzenberg, the Foreign Minister, who will lead the peace effort, said later that the only valid EU presidency position was a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry late on Saturday, which called for a ceasefire.

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