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Europe, Be a Fair Friend

(Institute for Contemporary Affairs-Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Fiamma Nirenstein - As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with EU foreign ministers on Monday, Europe, too, should recognize reality and that the time has come to change course. The road of truth is the one that will lead to peace. European actions will never encourage the Palestinians to abandon their aggression, cease their absolute denial of Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, or stop following their unproductive road of criminalizing and delegitimizing Israel. Zionism itself was conceived in Europe, and almost all of Israel's Founding Fathers spoke European languages and grew up in European countries. Europe, in fact, is the continent that championed the Balfour Declaration. It led the way for the League of Nations to ratify a state for the Jewish People, and later for the historic 1947 UN General Assembly vote. Yet, for years, the relationship between Europe and Israel has been strained. Europe tends to criticize Israel for simply defending itself against the continual threats and terrorist attacks it faces on all its borders and inside its cities. Europe, too, often disregards Israel's attempts to bring about peace, such as its disengagement from Gaza. Remember, Europe: Israel's fight for its survival and the survival of the Jewish people is also your battle. In addition, Israel has a love for democracy and social justice just like you. If you want to be part of a peace process, help us to stop the Palestinians from using incitement, criminalization, and demonization; stop them from fueling terrorism and violence; and invite them to come back to the negotiation table. The writer, a former member of the Italian Parliament and Vice President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the Chamber of Deputies, is a fellow of the Jerusalem Center.
2017-12-11 00:00:00
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