Komunikaty

Leading MEPs condemn attack by Hamas terrorists against Israel

Brussels, 7 October 2023

Statement by MEPs David McAllister and Antonio López-Istúriz White on today's violent attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists.

"We follow with utmost concern the news of terrible violence in Israel. We strongly condemn the heinous attack launched against Israel by Hamas terrorists on this Sabbath morning. We affirm the right of Israel to defend itself, and express our solidarity with Israel in these difficult moments.

We must not let opponents of peace ruin the chances of reconciliation and peaceful co-existence in Israel and Palestine. We call on all partners for peace to be present and active in order to bring the peace process back on track."

David McAllister (EPP, Germany) is Chair of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee;

Antonio López-Istúriz White (EPP, Spain) is Chair of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with Israel.

Terrorist attacks in Tel Aviv and West Bank: Statement by the Chair of the Delegation for relations with Israel Antonio López-Istúriz White

Brussels, 8 April 2023

Yesterday, terrorist attacks were perpetrated again against Israeli citizens and tourists, in Tel Aviv and the West Bank. We are appalled by these indiscriminate attacks against civilians, in which three people were killed and at least eight were injured. We extend our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a fast recovery to the wounded. Our thoughts are with them and with all Israeli people in these difficult moments.

We strongly condemn these horrific attacks. Nothing, ever, can justify targeting innocent civilians. The fact that these acts of hatred were perpetrated during the holy season for all the three main religions makes them even more heinous.

We also condemn the indiscriminate rocket attacks, from Gaza and Lebanon, on Israel. We reiterate the longstanding EU position that the State of Israel has the right to defend itself against any attacks and that this should be done in a proportionate way.

We would also like to stress once again the importance of preserving the status quo of the Holly Sites.

This spiral of violence has to end now and everything must be done to prevent it from spreading. We call for all efforts to be deployed to promote mutual understanding and avoid any provocations, in the quest for peace that must be the common goal.

Terrorist attacks in Jerusalem: Statement by the Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with Israel Antonio López-Istúriz White

Brussels, 28 January 2023

Deeply shocked by yesterday's horrific attack in Jerusalem. Seven people were killed in a terrorist attack as they were leaving a synagogue after the Shabbat service.

I firmly condemn this act of terrorism and hatred, made even more heinous given the fact that it was perpetrated during the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Today, another attack, in East Jerusalem, left two people seriously injured, in another intolerable expression of hate.

This spiral of violence has to end. All efforts are needed to calm the situation and prevent further violence and extremist acts.

At this time our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families.

Holocaust Remembrance Day: Statement by the Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with Israel Antonio López-Istúriz White

Brussels, 26 January 2023

Today, 78 years after the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, we pay our tribute to the 6 million Jews killed, in the most heinous crime in history, the Holocaust. We think of all the victims and the survivors and we pledge to strengthen our commitment to fight against antisemitism and to stop the spreading of all forms of intolerance and hatred in our societies. Today, as every day, we state strong and clear: Never Again!

Holocaust Remembrance Day, celebrated annually at the European Parliament, is a special, highly important moment, very close to our hearts. This year, H.E. Isaac Herzog, the President of the State of Israel honoured us with his presence. He recalled that in the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel, liberty, equality and peace are fundamental values, which are equally the values of the European Union. He also stressed the need to combat together antisemitism and the attempts to destroy our values. I firmly uphold this need, as stated also in the EU Strategy on combatting antisemitism and fostering Jewish life. The European Parliament is closely monitoring its implementation.

Our common history must serve as a lesson for building a peaceful future, based on mutual understanding and respect and on the democratic values we all cherish. This is a core objective of our Delegation, that we will continue to pursue in all our relations and partnership with Israel and notably with the Knesset.

Statement of 23 November 2022 on terrorist attacks in Jerusalem

I strongly condemn today's terrorist attacks in Jerusalem. Our thoughts are with the families affected by the explosions that killed one person and injured many. This sort of barbaric terror can never be justified.

The Delegation for Relations with Israel expresses its solidarity with its Israeli partners and reiterates the EU's unshakable commitment to fighting terrorism and defending our democratic societies against those who wish to destroy them.

Statement on the decision of the Foreign Affairs Council to relaunch the Association Council with Israel

Brussels, 19 July 2022

The Chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with Israel, Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE (EPP, Spain), said:

"I warmly welcome the decision of the Foreign Affairs Council to relaunch the Association Council with Israel.

The Association Council, established by the Association Agreement between the European Union and Israel, aimed to ensure continuous political dialogue between both parties. Yet this vital part of our relationship has not held a formal meeting for almost ten years, despite pressing challenges and significant shared opportunities.

The decision of Foreign Affairs Council follows a petition by more than 160 Members of the European Parliament calling for its renewal. In their letter to the Commission, MEPs stated that "democracies like Europe and Israel should come closer together" and that "our relationship can be of great value in the face of mounting challenges". Yesterday's momentous decision is a significant step forward in our relationship."

Background

EU Foreign Affairs Council approved yesterday the revival of the EU-Israel Association Council, an annual high-level dialogue between the countries that last convened in 2013.

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR OF THE DELEGATION FOR RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL ON THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN ELAD

Brussels, 6 May 2022

I strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Elad which killed at least three civilians and injured many others. An odious attack made even worse by the fact that it was perpetrated on the Independence Day of Israel.

The Delegation for relations with Israel stands firm with our Israeli partners, supporting them in these difficult moments and reassuring them of the EU's commitment to Israel's security.

This attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents that must stop. Terrorism will never prevail over our democratic societies.

Our thoughts are with the families, friends of the victims and the people of Israel.

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR OF THE DELEGATION FOR RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL ON THE LATEST TERROR ATTACK IN ISRAEL

Brussels, 30 March 2022

Last night, five people were killed, in the outskirts of Tel Aviv, in a third terrorist attack in one week, in Israel.

As Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Israel, I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. My thoughts are with the Israeli people, with our partners and friends, in this difficult moment.

I strongly condemn these terror attacks and dreadful crimes. Attacks against civilians are completely unacceptable and should stop immediately.

I am confident that the commitment and concerted efforts to prevent and fight terrorism will prevail.

Terrorism and violent extremism will be defeated.

Press statement: Delegation to Israel from 30 October to 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.

Joint statement by AFET and D-IL Chairs on the escalation of events

The indiscriminate launching of rockets from Hamas and other terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip into Israel must stop immediately. These rocket attacks have no justification and put the lives of innocent people in Israel at great risk.

As innocent Israelis prepare to spend another night in the shelters amidst wailing sirens telling people to seek refuge from incoming rocket attacks, we want to reiterate our full solidarity with the people of Israel in this very difficult moment of fear, loss and mourning and we recall that Israel has the right to defend itself and protect its population from terror attacks.

Israelis and Palestinians need to be able to live in safety, democracy and prosperity. We recall that there are many Palestinians who long for peace, agency and democracy and are committed to the objective of two States with Israel and a future Palestinian State living side by side in peace and prosperity. These indiscriminate rocket attacks are also an attack against the peace process and deprive both Israelis and Palestinians of their right to a future of peace, security and prosperity. These rocket attacks against innocent Israelis are also an attack against innocent Palestinians committed to peace. Their lives are put at great risk by the rockets and their right to determine their future is quashed.

We second the efforts of High Representative of the Union Josep Borrell to de-escalate the situation as a matter of priority and to support efforts aimed at ending further violence from Hamas and other terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip against Israel.