As part of a political mission to strengthen dialogue with Israel, a delegation of the ECR Group Bureau travelled to Jerusalem from Tuesday to Friday this week.

The visit, organised in close coordination with the Likud Party, included a series of high-level meetings.

These comprised talks with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Culture and Sports Minister Micky Zohar, and Science and Innovation Minister Gila Gamliel. At the Knesset, Members also met with MK Ariel Kallner, Chair of the Knesset Delegation to the European Parliament, and held a moving exchange with relatives of hostages abducted during the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023.

“We came to Israel with a clear message: the European centre-right understands that Israel’s security is not an isolated issue,” said ECR Co-Chairman Patryk Jaki.

“It is a frontline of in the the broader struggle for democracy, stability and Western values in a hostile environment.”

The delegation also met with Caroline Glick, International Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister, Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Uzi Dayan, Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Yossi Kuperwasser, and Mark Zell, Chairman of Republicans Overseas Israel.

Another central point of the programme was the visit to the French Bible and Archaeology School of Jerusalem (École biblique et archéologique française). In discussion with Director Olivier Poquillon OP, the delegation addressed the historical role and current challenges of facing Christian communities in the region.

“The Christians of the Holy Land often find themselves under pressure from all sides – religious, political and social,” said Jaki.

“They deserve more than symbolic gestures. They deserve concrete support for their freedom, presence and future.”

To conclude the visit, the delegation paid tribute at the Yad Vashem Remembrance Centre.

“We came to listen and to show presence”, said Jaki.

“Israel is a democratic partner under pressure. Our responsibility as European conservatives is to support those who stand for freedom and stability”.

The ECR Group will continue to advocate for a values-based partnership between Europe and Israel, support for democratic allies, and a firm stance against antisemitism and religious persecution.

The delegation to Israel was led by Patryk Jaki and included the following participants: Adrian Axinia, Stephen Bartulica, Nicolas Bay, Elena Donazzan, Geadis Geadi, Nora Junco, Fernand Kartheiser, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Jacek Ozdoba, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Bogdan Rzońca, Veronika Vrecionová, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Roberts Zīle and Kosma Złotowski.

An official participation in Israel’s Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony on Mount Herzl had been foreseen, but was cancelled for international guests due to safety considerations linked to wildfires near Jerusalem.

Note to the editor:

- Likud is a “global partner” of the ECR party.
- Image: The ECR Group delegation meeting with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.