News and Views From Europe,Rachel Rogosnitzky

Sarkozy Backs Israel But Blasts Settlements

In a three-day state visit to Israel, the first by a French leader in 12 years, President Nicolas Sarkozy gave his firm backing to the security and safety of Israel, promising that France "will always be by Israel's side when its existence and security are at stake, adding, in an unambiguous message to Iran, that "those who call, in an outrageous way, for the destruction of Israel will always find France facing them and blocking their path. France will do everything in order to prevent Iran from attaining nuclear weapons."

Sarkozy, who in line with other European leaders supports the creation of a Palestinian state, sees Israeli settlements as "the main obstacle towards peace with the Palestinians." He welcomed last week's cease-fire between Israel and Hamas as a step toward the opening of the Rafah crossing between Israel and Egypt and a hopeful sign for a prisoner deal.

The French president insisted that the release of Gilad Shalit, captured by Hamas two years ago in a cross border raid, is a top priority and would only be obtained through mediation.

"These talks are naturally sensitive, and the most important thing is not to work in a way that will endanger the kidnaped soldier, who is also a French citizen," Sarkozy said.

Sarkozy's support for Israel is well known. His statement last October that the establishment of the State of Israel "is the most important event which took place in the 20th century" was roundly condemned in Arab countries. Recently he announced that "the relations between France and Israel have seen a real, renewed bloom over the past few months.... I don't forget that this blooming continues a long tradition of friendship, the roots of which are embedded in our joint history."

The state visit, which includes a delegation of 450 people, occurs as France is about to assume the six-month presidency of the European Union. A summit in the French capital with EU countries, Arab states and Israel is set to launch the new Mediterranean Union in July.

European Union Ministers Agree to Enhance Israel's Status in the EU

A meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the EU's 27 member states in Luxemburg last week voted unanimously in favor of creating a committee to discuss ways of upgrading relations with Israel. Their decision will not only grant Israel improved status in the EU but will offer the opportunity for progress in diplomatic, economic, financial, agricultural and educational fields.

The resolution to strengthen ties with Israel comes from a Europe markedly more friendly than it has been in the past. Israel enjoys good relations with the governments of Britain, France, Italy and Germany. Czech Republic Deputy Premier Alexander Vondra said his country intends to use its term as president of the Council of the European Union to improve relations with Israel, as he announced a meeting in Prague in 2009 between Israeli leaders and their EU counterparts.

The meeting is set to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the death of Rabbi Judah Loew, the Maharal of Prague.

The moves to upgrade Israel's status in the EU come despite the fact that the EU is a major funder of the Palestinian Authority and of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, a nongovernmental organization set up uniquely for Palestinian refugees that defines them differently from all other refugees and whose policy opposes resettlement, using their miserable state as a perpetual stick with which to beat Israel.

Israel had feared that the EU might present further demands to cease construction of settlements and engage in talks with the Palestinians. In the event, EU ministers restricted themselves to a general statement calling for Israel to progress in its negotiations.

The decision was opposed by Salam Fayad, prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, who sent a letter to the leaders of the EU countries entreating them not to upgrade ties unless Israel halts settlement expansion and construction of its security barrier. Hamas blasted the EU committee for a decision it said showed that Europe was "still in the clutches of the U.S."

Israel's more favored status is particularly significant in light of the EU's position as a member of the Quartet (the EU, United States, United Nations and Russia): It will give Israel more influence over European attitudes toward Iran and Hamas, and the Israeli economy will benefit from greater exposure to the European market, especially in the area of high tech.

Israel's Ambassador to Britain Will Take Israel's Case to the Welsh Assembly

Ron Prosor, the Israeli ambassador to Britain, will present Israel's case in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict before the Welsh Assembly this week. Prosor was invited to the Welsh capital, Cardiff, by the first Muslim to be elected by the Welsh Assembly, Muhammad Asghar.

Asghar said, "For all my life I've been listening to one side of the facts all the time. In my position in the assembly, it's about time to know the other side of the fence. I think there won't be a better person than the Israeli ambassador to tell me the views of Israelis in this whole conflict."

Asghar's openness and willingness to listen was not reflected in the reaction of the Welsh assembly's presiding officer, Dafydd Elis Thomas, who expressed views common to many British liberals who express popular support for the Palestinian cause without any real understanding of the situation.

Thomas refused to meet Ambassador Prosor, saying it was "because of my objection to the failure of the State of Israel to meet its international obligations to the Palestinian people of the Holy Lands." He encouraged his political colleagues to follow suit.

His attitude is symptomatic of the climate of antipathy toward Israel in Britain. The Israeli ambassador said, "Britain has become a hotbed for radical anti-Israel views and a haven for disingenuous calls for a one-state solution." Perhaps his visit to Wales will go some way toward rectifying the situation.

British Foreign Office to Host Conference to Combat Anti-Semitism

Together with the Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Combating Anti-Semitism, Britain's Foreign Office will act as the host for world parliamentarians to convene in an international drive to counter anti-Semitism in February 2009.

Jim Murphy, the UK's minister for Europe, announced last week that "the British government remains committed to combating anti-Semitism wherever it occurs. Anti-Semitism disgraces whichever communities are prepared to tolerate it."

The UK has played a major role in ensuring that anti-Semitism is addressed in international organizations such as the UN and helping to promote Holocaust remembrance. The UK recently assumed the presidency of the International Commission of the International Tracing Service, the Holocaust archive at Bad-Arolsen in Germany. Support for the enterprise comes from political figures from around the world, including Israeli Welfare and Social Services Minister Isaac Herzog, German parliamentarian Gert Weisskirchen, and Irwin Cotler, former Canadian attorney general and justice minister. Cotler is co-founder with John Mann, MP, of the Inter Parliamentary Coalition for Combating Anti-Semitism. Mann underlined the significance of the British government's hosting of the conference: "This is yet further evidence that government, Parliament and wider civic society in the UK are serious about the threat posed by resurgent anti-Semitism and are willing to explore new and innovative ways to defeat the purveyors of hate."

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News and Views From Europe , Rachel Rogosnitzky