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46th EU-Israel Inter-Parliamentary Meeting (IPM), 28 June 2023, Brussels

Group photo in meeting room of Members of the European Parliament and the Knesset in front of EU and Israel flags
46th EU-Israel IPM, Brussels © European Union - 2023 (EP)

Following today´s 46th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting (IPM) between the European Parliament and the Knesset, the Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with Israel, Antonio López-Istúriz White, stated:

"We had the pleasure to host today the Knesset Delegation for relations with the European Parliament for our regular inter-parliamentary meeting. We highly appreciated the clear commitment, expressed by our Israeli counterparts, to continue dialogue and enhance EU - Israel parliamentary relations. Our EP Delegation underlined the importance to build on the momentum created by the Association Council of 2022 and the recent high-level visits and to increase cooperation through our parliamentary diplomacy.

We stressed the importance to build on the many positive developments in EU-Israel relations and to increase their visibility for EU and Israeli citizens, in order to address the many challenges facing the region.

We agreed that, facing the recent upsurge of violence in Israel and in the West Bank, urgent and swift measures are needed for de-escalation, for ending the circle of violence and for addressing it at its roots.

We expressed our support for the normalisation of relations between Israel and Arab countries in the region and the willingness to cooperate concretely to the further enhancement of these relations, as well as our belief that this process should also include the Palestinians and that it can have a positive impact on the Middle East Peace Process, needed for a lasting regional stability.

I underlined that today, in the new geopolitical environment created by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, there is more than ever a need for democracies everywhere to enhance their relations and fight for preserving the openness of their societies, the rule of law and the respect for human rights.
We expressed appreciation for the vivid and strong Israeli democracy and expressed confidence in its capacity of inclusiveness and of finding a common denominator, notably on major issues like safeguarding the checks and balances of the democratic system.

We addressed the importance to fight antisemitism and underlined the efforts and actions of the EU and the EP in this sense, as well as the cooperation with our Israeli counterparts notably in tackling hatred and antisemitism in the cyber-sphere.

We also addressed many issues related to our common interests and challenges, including the geopolitical situation in the region, Israel security concerns, as well as sectoral cooperation in many fields.

Both our delegations expressed the willingness to enhance our parliamentary cooperation, on a constant basis."

The Joint Statement adopted can be found here:

45th EU-Israel Inter-parliamentary meeting (IPM), 30 October - 1 November 2021

4 November 2021


A delegation representing the European Parliament (EP) Delegation for relations with Israel held a visit to the State of Israel from the 30th of October to the 1st of November 2021, on the occasion of the 45th inter-parliamentary meeting (IPM) between the EP and the Knesset. This is part of the ongoing structured dialogue between the two Parliaments. The last IPM took place remotely on 30 November 2020.

Led by Antonio López-Istúriz White, Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Israel and composed of three other Members, Elena Yoncheva, Vice-Chair of the Delegation (S&D, Bulgaria), Ljudmila Novak (EPP, Slovenia) and Mr Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez, (EPP, Spain), the delegation met with Member of Knesset (MK) Yossi Shain, the Chair of the Knesset Delegation for relations with the European Parliament, as well as with other MKs, members of the above-mentioned Delegation, during the IPM. The IPM adopted a joint statement (annexed). Other meetings were also held with representatives of the opposition in the Knesset, namely, MK Tzachi Hanegbi, Likud party, and MK Ayman Odeh, Head of the Joint List. The Chair also met with Knesset Speaker, Mickey Levy.

In Jerusalem, the delegation met with Nachman Shai, Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Idan Roll, Deputy Foreign Minister, Danny Dayan, the Chairman of Yad Vashem, as well as with high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of civil society organizations.

The delegation visited the city of Ramla and held a fruitful exchange of views with Michael Vidal, Mayor of Ramla as well as with other high-ranking officials, on the diversity of the city and the good co-existence between the different communities, based on mutual understanding and knowledge.

The delegation highly appreciated the visit of the Peres Centre for Peace & Innovation and the meeting with its CEO, Nadav Tamir and their team of researchers. The visit reaffirmed the approach of using innovation for peace and confidence-building, including through European Union (EU) financed projects.

With all its interlocutors, the EP Delegation stressed the importance of a strong partnership between the European Union and Israel and the need to communicate more the intense cooperation held in many fields, in order to increase mutual knowledge. In this respect, it underlined that efforts for enhanced people-to-people relations should be made.

The EP delegation expressed support for reconvening the Association Council EU-Israel, as soon as a date can be mutually agreed, stressing the importance of a swift high-level structured dialogue for debating all issues of mutual interest.

The delegation highly welcomed the message expressed by the Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, during his visit to Brussels in July 2021, that the State of Israel and the European Union had started a new page in their relationship and recalled the EU's readiness for a fresh start in the relations with Israel and the understanding that a credible engagement and stronger relationship with Israel is needed to revive a path towards peace and justice for Israel and Palestinians both alike.

While recalling that vibrant democracy and respect for human rights are an integral part of the values which the EU and Israel hold dear, the delegation stressed the importance of a thriving and diverse NGO sector and civil society. In this respect, it asked for more information on the declaration of 22 October by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz referring to six Palestinian NGOs as "terrorist organisations", and for substantive evidences in this respect.

The EP delegation welcomed the process of normalization of relations between Israel and multiple countries. The Delegation noted the progress made in the implementation of the Abraham Accords and the increased positive outcome of this process. It also stressed the importance that efforts are pursued towards progress in the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) and recalled the EU position on the support of the two-state solution and on the importance to avoid unilateral measures that could hinder the process.

The EP delegation noted the uniqueness of the Israeli government coalition, comprising parties from the entire political spectrum and, for the first time, including an Arab party; it commended this democratic achievement and sign of political unity.

The EP delegation informed about the recent adoption of the first-ever EU Strategy on Combatting Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish life. The strategy, acknowledging that antisemitism is worryingly on the rise in Europe and beyond, sets out a series of measures aiming to prevent all forms of antisemitism, protecting and fostering Jewish life, and promoting research, education and remembrance of the Holocaust. These measures will be reinforced by the EU's international efforts to lead the global fight against antisemitism.

The delegation underlined the central role of the European Parliament and of the Knesset in the relationship between the EU and Israel. It reiterated the commitment to remain engaged in the long‑standing and multi-faceted dialogue between Israel and the European Union and to explore new avenues in order to stimulate further the EU-Israel parliamentary dialogue and cooperation.

Thanking its Israeli hosts for their hospitality and openness for dialogue, the EP Delegation stressed the importance of the constant cooperation with Israel, a key partner for the EU.

44th EU-Israel Inter-parliamentary meeting (IPM), 30 November 2020

© European Union 2020 – EP/thierry
Press release, Brussels, 30 November 2020

Following today´s 44th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting (IPM) between the European Parliament and the Knesset, the Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with Israel, Antonio López-Istúriz White, stated:

"I express my satisfaction with the important meeting celebrated today involving an open and in-depth debate on issues of mutual interest for both the EU and Israel. The fact that the meeting was organised soon after the establishment of the Knesset Delegation for relations with the European Parliament, following the elections in Israel, is proof of the enthusiasm and desire for strengthened cooperation on both sides.

During the discussion, we underlined that the values of democracy and the respect for human rights are at the centre of the EU-Israel partnership and highlighted the need to strengthen our efforts for their implementation.

Normalization Agreements and the Middle East Peace Process

The normalization of relations between Israel and the UAE, Bahrein and Sudan, is a welcomed development for the signatory countries as well as for the stability and security in the region. On the background of these agreements, Israelis and Palestinians should seize the opportunity and take urgent steps to build confidence and restore cooperation in full respect of international law.

The EU position is of firm commitment to a negotiated and viable two-state solution built upon the internationally agreed parameters. The EU is ready to support Israelis and Palestinians in their efforts to resume meaningful negotiations on all final status issues in order to achieve a just and lasting peace.

Security and fighting anti-Semitism

Regarding security, I welcome the successful counter-terrorism dialogue EU - Israel, as well as the fruitful cooperation in fighting anti-Semitism. On this regard, we will continue working together in order to protect Jewish communities and institutions as well as the Jewish cultural heritage throughout Europe. The EU is committed to Israel's security, including threats in the region, which is best guaranteed through peace agreements between Israel and its neighbours.

Cooperation and the Association Council

We discussed and agreed to strengthen our strong cooperation in the sectors of research, science, technology, and education. On trade, noting that the EU is Israel´s first trading partner, we further agreed on the need to boost investment by reducing non-tariff barriers and pursuing technical cooperation. Solidarity in the context of fighting COVID-19 was also underlined as well as the necessity of better communication about the cooperation of the European Union and Israel.

During our meeting, the importance to hold the Association Council was stressed, as this is the key forum for high-level dialogue and has not been held since 2012."

You can find here the adopted joint statement:

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/delegations/fr/d-il/activities/inter-parliamentary

A summary of Inter-parliamentary meetings held during the European Parliament's 8th term (2014-2019) can be found in the delegation's archives.