Brussels, 18th September, 2014 – As the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, is drawing near and the new five-year term of the European Parliament has just begun, ECI is calling for a new chapter in EU-Israeli relations.

Over the last few weeks, ECI has had high level meetings both in Jerusalem and Brussels, discussing the aftermath of the Gaza conflict and ways of strengthening the strategic partnership between Europe and Israel.

Over the last few weeks, ECI has had high level meetings both in Jerusalem and Brussels, discussing the aftermath of the Gaza conflict and ways of strengthening the strategic partnership between Europe and Israel.

In meetings in Jerusalem with the Speaker of the Knesset, Yuli-Joel Edelstein, Tomas Sandell and Harald Eckert (picture) emphasised the need for closer relations between Europe and Israel.  This is at a time when antisemitism is raising its ugly head once more in Europe and Jihadist movements in the Middle East are threatening anyone who disagrees with their medieval vision of a repressive Islamic caliphate.

‘The general public, by and large, remains loyal to Israel although they do not march in the streets’, Sandell said. He referred to a recent survey in Finland which showed that a clear majority of those who had an opinion about the recent Gaza conflict were in favour of Israel, whilst the large majority is simply not interested in the conflict.
‘Although we are very much concerned with the rise of antisemitism in Europe, we should not underestimate the potential influence of the silent majority of Europeans who remain committed to the safety and security of the Jewish people in Europe and in Israel. Our challenge as a European grassroots movement is to mobilise and empower these people’, he said.

After a week in Jerusalem, ECI travelled to Brussels for high-level meetings with EU-officials and members of the new European Parliament.  The purpose was to discuss how strategic relations with Israel could be strengthened at a time when there are calls for boycotts and divestments and international media remain biased and critical of Israel.

ECI has been at odds with the European External Action Service of the European Union since last summer when it issued new guidelines for EU financing, banning EU funds from being spent in the disputed territories in Judea and Samaria, including East Jerusalem. In May, the EU banned import of poultry from these territories, citing ‘insufficient veterinary control.’

In an open letter to the EU, published earlier in the year, ECI and 42 European political leaders called for a review of EU policy in the disputed territories, in order to better reflect historical and practical realities on the ground as well as relevant international law.

In the meetings in Brussels, ECI’s crucial role as a grassroots movement was re-emphasised. It was agreed that EU policy is a reflection of European public opinion. Those who shape public opinion ultimately also shape European policies.

‘We need to win back the European street’, Sandell said. ‘Winning back public opinion simply means mobilising and empowering the vast majority of Europeans who support tolerance and freedom in Europe and in the Middle East and appreciate Israel as the only democracy in the region.’

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Brussels, 15th August, 2014

‘The international community needs to make use of all means possible immediately to stop the advance of the notorious Islamic terrorist organisation ISIS (Islamic State) in order to prevent another genocide’, says ECI Director Tomas Sandell in a statement on Thursday. ‘A special responsibility lies with the US Government, which is the only world power that has the military capability to intervene. The European nations and other allies need fully to support such a humanitarian rescue operation with all necessary funds and logistical aid’, he said.

The alarming situation in Northern Iraq illustrates the threat that the international community is facing from radical Jihadist groups such as Isis. The mass killings and beheadings of children and women cannot go unchallenged.

The EU needs to respond to this attack on our most fundamental values of freedom and human dignity with a coherent policy, regardless of whether the enemy is found in Gaza or in northern Iraq. The escalating situation in northern Iraq well illustrates what type of an enemy Israel is facing on its very doorstep as well as in Gaza where ISIS, according to new intelligence reports, has already established a base.

The Israeli Government needs our unconditional support as it fights the same battle to protect its citizens. One should make no mistake in that ISIS and Hamas are two expressions of one and the same jihadist ideology to exterminate Israel and spread its influence.’

ECI urges its constituency to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in northern Iraq and to give generously to humanitarian aid organisations*, which are reaching out to the fleeing refugees.

We also encourage supporters to sign a petition to the EU

(Sign here: http://www.citizengo.org/en/10475-real-help-persecuted-christians )requesting immediate action from the EU to intervene in Iraq and commit to ensuring the inalienable right to freedom of religion for all. In addition to this, everyone can contact their elected leaders in parliaments and governments in expressing support for a humanitarian intervention to stop the genocide.

We must remind our leaders that EU policies must reflect the same values and principles regardless of if the enemy is in northern Iraq, Gaza or in Europe.

Jews and Christians, as well as moderate Muslims, face the same enemies and the international community must now commit itself to defending our freedom and democracy from radical Islam.’

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