EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 2014 - 2019

Delegation for relations with

D-IL_PV(2014)1203_1

MINUTES of the meeting of 3 December 2014, 9.30-13.00 ASP 5E2, Brussels

The meeting opened at 9.30 on Wednesday, 3 December 2014, with Fulvio Martusciello (Chair) presiding.

1. Adoption of agenda

The agenda was adopted without amendment.

2. Chair’s announcements

The Chair, Fulvio Martusciello (EPP / IT), noted that the EU wanted a stronger partnership with Israel and recalled that a debate had taken place at the plenary session of November 2014 on the issue of the recognition of the Palestinian State, but that the vote had been postponed until December.

3. EP/ Interparliamentary meeting

The composition of the Knesset delegation was as follows:

• Avishay Braverman, Israeli Labour Party, Chair of the Economic Committee and the Knesset’s delegation for relations with the European Parliament • David Tsur, Hatnuah party, Member of the Knesset • Yakov Asher, Israeli Labour party, Member of the Knesset • Hanna Swaid, Hadash party, Member of the Knesset • Rina Frenkel, Yesh Atid party, Member of the Knesset • Nadav Eshcar, Director of European Affairs of the Knesset.

3.1 The peace process and the security of the State of Israel

PV\1053951EN.doc PE543.381v01.00

EN United in diversity EN Avishay Braverman, Chair of the Knesset delegation, expressed his wish to strengthen relations between the European Parliament and the Knesset and between the European Union and Israel. He admitted that the peace process had failed to produce results and underlined the need for a two-state solution that guaranteed Israel's security. He called upon moderate Arab countries and Israel to fight against religious fundamentalism and recalled that recruitment and radicalisation on the Internet and on the social networks were posing new challenges.

Daniel Schwammenthal, representative of the American Jewish Committee, raised the issue of Iran's nuclear programme and maintained that Iran was helping to foster the growth of Islamist movements.

Amir Weissbrod, representative of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recalled that the future of the region was uncertain, even though three years had passed since the events of the Arab Spring. He said the Israeli government was not planning to change its foreign and security policy and emphasised the importance of the peace treaties between Israel and and . He expressed his misgivings about the regional situation, in particular the actions of Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and Syria. Mr Weissbrod gave assurances that Israel was seeking an economic solution for the people of Gaza, but reiterated that it had above all to ensure its own security.

During the discussion, Members recalled that the peace process was an important issue which concerned both the region and the rest of the world and pointed out that a greater commitment by all players was needed.

3.2. The situation in the Middle East

Ana Gomes (S & D / PT) stressed the need to maintain relations with Iran. She stated that the Iranian people were the key to the normalisation of the situation and recalled the crucial role that Iran was playing in the current situation in Iraq. Ms Gomes recalled the European Parliament's position of supporting a two-state solution. In this regard, the continuing building of settlements was seen as going against these efforts. She also wanted Europe to be more committed to the peace process and called for a more open dialogue between the European Parliament and the Knesset. According to Ms Gomes, the EU had to adopt a more ambitious attitude and become a major player in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict rather than being just a source of funding.

David Tsur, Member of the Knesset, said that negotiations between the two parties remained the only way to make any progress in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Despite a recognition of the errors committed on both sides, he believed that the main reason for the stalled negotiations was Hamas. Mr Tsur argued that the recognition of the Palestinian State by some EU Member States would not help and in fact only created false hopes. He also recognised that the existence of Israel as a Jewish democratic State logically opened the way for the to form their own independent State.

Rina Frenkel, Member of the Knesset, began by recalling that Israelis and Palestinians used to co-exist peacefully in the past, a state of affairs to which many of them wished to return. She hoped that future generations would no longer have to become soldiers and voiced her strong determination to achieve peaceful coexistence. She discussed the peace promotion PE543.381v01.00 2/7 PV\1053951EN.doc EN programmes created at her initiative and stressed the crucial role of young people in preserving the peace process and stability in the Middle East.

3.3. The internal situation in Israel and the relations between the EU and Israel

Avishay Braverman, Member of the Knesset, supported the two-state solution and advocated a return to the 1967 borders and settlements for the future Palestinian State. He hoped that a future Israeli government would take more initiatives in the peace process and give greater priority to relations with the European Union. Finally, he called for more transparency in the distribution of international funds to non-governmental organisations in the region in order to avoid this money falling into the hands of terrorist groups.

Leonello Gabrici, Head of Division Middle East II: Israel, occupied territories and the peace process in the Middle East in the EEAS, reported strong bilateral relations between the EU and Israel which translated into cooperation in all areas of the Community’s external competence. He recalled that the EU was ready to launch a privileged special partnership, provided a peace agreement was signed.

Javier Nart (ALDE / ES) expressed his dismay at the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reiterated the need to resolve the conflict without resorting to arms. He regretted that Israel has refused to allow members of the ALDE group access to the . He ended by saying that Israel benefited from 30% of the funds sent by the international community for the reconstruction of Gaza as a supplier of materials, water and energy.

Martina Anderson (UK / GUE) indicated that a two-state solution and an end to the Israeli occupation were essential to achieve peace and security in the region. Furthermore, the process of recognising the Palestinian State had to continue, with 135 countries having already recognised it to date. Furthermore, Martina Anderson did not agree that Hamas was the only cause of the problem, and argued that the problems between the two sides had already existed well before the creation of Hamas.

Amir Weissbrod, representative of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the problem in Gaza concerned the entire Middle East. In response to Javier Nart’s intervention, he replied that simply visiting the area would do nothing to change the situation. He emphasised the need to rebuild Gaza and noted that the alliance between Israel and the European Union could prove the best model of an alliance in the Middle East.

4. Other business

None.

5. Date and place of next meeting

The next meeting of the D-IL would take place in Brussels from 10:00 to 11:00 on 22 January 2015.

The meeting closed at 13.00.

PV\1053951EN.doc 3/7 PE543.381v01.00 EN ПРИСЪСТВЕН ЛИСТ/LISTA DE ASISTENCIA/PREZENČNÍ LISTINA/DELTAGERLISTE/ ANWESENHEITSLISTE/KOHALOLIJATE NIMEKIRI/ΚΑΤΑΣΤΑΣΗ ΠΑΡΟΝΤΩΝ/RECORD OF ATTENDANCE/ LISTE DE PRÉSENCE/POPIS NAZOČNIH/ELENCO DI PRESENZA/APMEKLĒJUMU REĢISTRS/DALYVIŲ SĄRAŠAS/ JELENLÉTI ÍV/REĠISTRU TA' ATTENDENZA/PRESENTIELIJST/LISTA OBECNOŚCI/LISTA DE PRESENÇAS/ LISTĂ DE PREZENŢĂ/PREZENČNÁ LISTINA/SEZNAM NAVZOČIH/LÄSNÄOLOLISTA/DELTAGARLISTA

Бюро/Mesa/Předsednictvo/Formandskabet/Vorstand/Juhatus/Προεδρείο/Bureau/Predsjedništvo/Ufficio di presidenza/Prezidijs/ Biuras/Elnökség/Prezydium/Birou/Predsedníctvo/Predsedstvo/Puheenjohtajisto/Presidiet (*)

Fulvio Martusciello, Olga Sehnalová.

Членове/Diputados/Poslanci/Medlemmer/Mitglieder/Parlamendiliikmed/Μέλη/Members/Députés/Zastupnici/Deputati/Deputāti/Nariai/ Képviselõk/Membri/Leden/Posłowie/Deputados/Deputaţi/Jäsenet/Ledamöter

Werner Kuhn, Arne Lietz, Martina Michels, Frédérique Ries, Branislav Škripek.

Заместници/Suplentes/Náhradníci/Stedfortrædere/Stellvertreter/Asendusliikmed/Αναπληρωτές/Substitutes/Suppléants/Zamjenici/ Supplenti/Aizstājēji/Pavaduojantysnariai/Póttagok/Sostituti/Plaatsvervangers/Zastępcy/Membros suplentes/Supleanţi/Náhradníci/ Namestniki/Varajäsenet/Suppleanter

Zdzisław Krasnodębski, Miltiadis Kyrkos, Costas Mavrides, Marijana Petir, Barbara Spinelli.

200 (2)

Martina Anderson, Victor Boştinaru, Ana Gomes, Javier Nart.

206 (3)

53 (6) (Точка от дневния ред/Punto del orden del día/Bod pořadu jednání (OJ)/Punkt på dagsordenen/Tagesordnungspunkt/ Päevakorra punkt/Ημερήσια Διάταξη Σημείο/Agenda item/Point OJ/Točka dnevnog reda/Punto all'ordine del giorno/Darba kārtības punkts/Darbotvarkės punktas/Napirendi pont/Punt Aġenda/Agendapunt/Punkt porządku dziennego/Ponto OD/Punct de pe ordinea de zi/Bod programu schôdze/Točka UL/Esityslistan kohta/Föredragningslista punkt)

PE543.381v01.00 4/7 PV\1053951EN.doc EN Наблюдатели/Observadores/Pozorovatelé/Observatører/Beobachter/Vaatlejad/Παρατηρητές/Observers/Observateurs/Promatrači/ Osservatori/Novērotāji/Stebėtojai/Megfigyelők/Osservaturi/Waarnemers/Obserwatorzy/Observadores/Observatori/Pozorovatelia/ Opazovalci/Tarkkailijat/Observatörer

По покана на председателя/Por invitación del presidente/Na pozvání předsedy/Efter indbydelse fra formanden/Auf Einladung des Vorsitzenden/Esimehe kutsel/Με πρόσκληση του Προέδρου/At the invitation of the Chair(wo)man/Sur l'invitation du président/ Na poziv predsjednika/Su invito del presidente/Pēc priekšsēdētāja uzaicinājuma/Pirmininkui pakvietus/Az elnök meghívására/ Fuq stedina taċ-'Chairman'/Op uitnodiging van de voorzitter/Na zaproszenie Przewodniczącego/A convite do Presidente/La invitaţia preşedintelui/Na pozvanie predsedu/Na povabilo predsednika/Puheenjohtajan kutsusta/På ordförandens inbjudan

Съвет/Consejo/Rada/Rådet/Rat/Nõukogu/Συμβούλιο/Council/Conseil/Vijeće/Consiglio/Padome/Taryba/Tanács/Kunsill/Raad/ Conselho/Consiliu/Svet/Neuvosto/Rådet (*)

Комисия/Comisión/Komise/Kommissionen/Kommission/Euroopa Komisjon/Επιτροπή/Commission/Komisija/Commissione/Bizottság/ Kummissjoni/Commissie/Komisja/Comissão/Comisie/Komisia/Komissio/Kommissionen (*)

Laura Fallavollita.

Европейска служба за външна дейност/Servicio Europeo de Acción Exterior/Evropská služba pro vnější činnost/ EU-Udenrigstjenesten/Europäischer Auswärtiger Dienst/Euroopa välisteenistus/Ευρωπαϊκή Υπηρεσία Εξωτερικής Δράσης/European External Action service/Service européen pour l'action extérieure/Europska služba za vanjsko djelovanje/Servizio europeo per l’azione esterna/Eiropas Ārējās darbības dienests/Europos išorės veiksmų tarnyba/Európai Külügyi Szolgálat/Servizz Ewropew għall-Azzjoni Esterna/Europese dienst voor extern optreden/Europejska Służba Działań Zewnętrznych/Serviço Europeu para a Acção Externa/ Serviciul european pentru acţiune externă/Európska služba pre vonkajšiu činnosť/Evropska služba za zunanje delovanje/Euroopan ulkosuhdehallinto/Europeiska avdelningen för yttre åtgärd (*)

Martin Skylv, Leonello Gabrici, Nikolaos Christoforou, Zohra Melil.

Други институции/Otras instituciones/Ostatní orgány a instituce/Andre institutioner/Andere Organe/Muud institutsioonid/ Άλλα θεσμικά όργανα/Other institutions/Autres institutions/Druge institucije/Altre istituzioni/Citas iestādes/Kitos institucijos/ Más intézmények/Istituzzjonijiet oħra/Andere instellingen/Inne instytucje/Outras Instituições/Alte instituţii/Iné inštitúcie/Muut toimielimet/Andra institutioner/organ

PV\1053951EN.doc 5/7 PE543.381v01.00 EN Други участници/Otros participantes/Ostatní účastníci/Endvidere deltog/Andere Teilnehmer/Muud osalejad/Επίσης Παρόντες/Other participants/Autres participants/Drugi sudionici/Altri partecipanti/Citi klātesošie/Kiti dalyviai/Más résztvevők/Parteċipanti ohra/Andere aanwezigen/Inni uczestnicy/Outros participantes/Alţi participanţi/Iní účastníci/Drugi udeleženci/Muut osallistujat/Övriga deltagare

Секретариат на политическите групи/Secretaría de los Grupos políticos/Sekretariát politických skupin/Gruppernes sekretariat/ Sekretariat der Fraktionen/Fraktsioonide sekretariaat/Γραμματεία των Πολιτικών Ομάδων/Secretariats of political groups/Secrétariat des groupes politiques/Tajništva klubova zastupnika/Segreteria gruppi politici/Politisko grupu sekretariāts/Frakcijų sekretoriai/ Képviselőcsoportok titkársága/Segretarjat gruppi politiċi/Fractiesecretariaten/Sekretariat Grup Politycznych/Secr. dos grupos políticos/Secretariate grupuri politice/Sekretariát politických skupín/Sekretariat političnih skupin/Poliittisten ryhmien sihteeristöt/ Gruppernas sekretariat

PPE Jorge Soutullo, Sarah Demirel. S&D Jörgen Siil, Jakub Semrau, Panayiclas Krasnias. ALDE ECR Elise Coolegem. Verts/ALE GUE/NGL EFDD NI

Кабинет на председателя/Gabinete del Presidente/Kancelář předsedy/Formandens Kabinet/Kabinett des Präsidenten/Presidendi kantselei/Γραφείο Προέδρου/President's Office/Cabinet du Président/Ured predsjednika/Gabinetto del Presidente/Priekšsēdētāja kabinets/Pirmininko kabinetas/Elnöki hivatal/Kabinett tal-President/Kabinet van de Voorzitter/Gabinet Przewodniczącego/Gabinete do Presidente/Cabinet Preşedinte/Kancelária predsedu/Urad predsednika/Puhemiehen kabinetti/Talmannens kansli

Кабинет на генералния секретар/Gabinete del Secretario General/Kancelář generálního tajemníka/Generalsekretærens Kabinet/ Kabinett des Generalsekretärs/Peasekretäri büroo/Γραφείο Γενικού Γραμματέα/Secretary-General's Office/Cabinet du Secrétaire général/Ured glavnog tajnika/Gabinetto del Segretario generale/Ģenerālsekretāra kabinets/Generalinio sekretoriaus kabinetas/ Főtitkári hivatal/Kabinett tas-Segretarju Ġenerali/Kabinet van de secretaris-generaal/Gabinet Sekretarza Generalnego/Gabinete do Secretário-Geral/Cabinet Secretar General/Kancelária generálneho tajomníka/Urad generalnega sekretarja/Pääsihteerin kabinetti/ Generalsekreterarens kansli

PE543.381v01.00 6/7 PV\1053951EN.doc EN Генерална дирекция/Dirección General/Generální ředitelství/Generaldirektorat/Generaldirektion/Peadirektoraat/Γενική Διεύθυνση/ Directorate-General/Direction générale/Glavna uprava/Direzione generale/Ģenerāldirektorāts/Generalinis direktoratas/Főigazgatóság/ Direttorat Ġenerali/Directoraten-generaal/Dyrekcja Generalna/Direcção-Geral/Direcţii Generale/Generálne riaditeľstvo/Generalni direktorat/Pääosasto/Generaldirektorat

DG PRES DG IPOL DG EXPO François Massoulié, Judith Burger DG EPRS DG COMM DG PERS DG INLO DG TRAD DG INTE DG FINS DG ITEC DG SAFE

Правна служба/Servicio Jurídico/Právní služba/Juridisk Tjeneste/Juristischer Dienst/Õigusteenistus/Νομική Υπηρεσία/Legal Service/ Service juridique/Pravna služba/Servizio giuridico/Juridiskais dienests/Teisės tarnyba/Jogi szolgálat/Servizz legali/Juridische Dienst/ Wydział prawny/Serviço Jurídico/Serviciu Juridic/Právny servis/Oikeudellinen yksikkö/Rättstjänsten

Секретариат на комисията/Secretaría de la comisión/Sekretariát výboru/Udvalgssekretariatet/Ausschusssekretariat/Komisjoni sekretariaat/Γραμματεία επιτροπής/Committee secretariat/Secrétariat de la commission/Tajništvo odbora/Segreteria della commissione/ Komitejas sekretariāts/Komiteto sekretoriatas/A bizottság titkársága/Segretarjat tal-kumitat/Commissiesecretariaat/Sekretariat komisji/ Secretariado da comissão/Secretariat comisie/Sekretariat odbora/Valiokunnan sihteeristö/Utskottssekretariatet

Christian Garrigues.

Сътрудник/Asistente/Asistent/Assistent/Assistenz/Βοηθός/Assistant/Assistente/Palīgs/Padėjėjas/Asszisztens/Asystent/Pomočnik/ Avustaja/Assistenter

Barbara Ajmi.

* (P) = Председател/Presidente/Předseda/Formand/Vorsitzender/Esimees/Πρόεδρος/Chair(wo)man/Président/Predsjednik/Priekšsēdētājs/ Pirmininkas/Elnök/'Chairman'/Voorzitter/Przewodniczący/Preşedinte/Predseda/Predsednik/Puheenjohtaja/Ordförande (VP) = Заместник-председател/Vicepresidente/Místopředseda/Næstformand/Stellvertretender Vorsitzender/Aseesimees/Αντιπρόεδρος/ Vice-Chair(wo)man/Potpredsjednik/Vice-Président/Potpredsjednik/Priekšsēdētāja vietnieks/Pirmininko pavaduotojas/Alelnök/ Viċi 'Chairman'/Ondervoorzitter/Wiceprzewodniczący/Vice-Presidente/Vicepreşedinte/Podpredseda/Podpredsednik/ Varapuheenjohtaja/Vice ordförande (M) = Член/Miembro/Člen/Medlem./Mitglied/Parlamendiliige/Μέλος/Member/Membre/Član/Membro/Deputāts/Narys/Képviselő/ Membru/Lid/Członek/Membro/Membru/Člen/Poslanec/Jäsen/Ledamot (F) = Длъжностно лице/Funcionario/Úředník/Tjenestemand/Beamter/Ametnik/Υπάλληλος/Official/Fonctionnaire/Dužnosnik/ Funzionario/Ierēdnis/Pareigūnas/Tisztviselő/Uffiċjal/Ambtenaar/Urzędnik/Funcionário/Funcţionar/Úradník/Uradnik/Virkamies/ Tjänsteman

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