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Dear friends,
In a few weeks, I will be winding up my assignment as EU Ambassador to Israel. I feel truly privileged to have served four years in this incredible country. They have been four eventful years which included an election, a war and another failed attempt at a peace-process. But has Israel ever had anything less than eventful years? They have been years of important economic and cultural achievements but also years in which we mourned too many innocent lives lost in vicious attacks. They have also been four fruitful years for relations between Israel and the EU. Despite the occasional rhetoric of an Israeli shift away from Europe, we remain Israel's biggest partner in trade, science and technology. We have stepped up our cooperation on counter-terrorism, assisted some of the fragile states in Israel's neighbourhood in an effort to achieve a modicum of regional stability, and strengthened our common fight against rising anti-Semitism in Europe and elsewhere.
Yet things could be better. The unresolved Israeli-Palestinian issue remains an open wound, with ramifications that extend far beyond the conflict itself and go to the heart of Israeli society. During my time here I have sensed that many Israelis have lost hope in the possibility of ever reaching a solution to the conflict. I can only believe that this despair is behind criticism of European attempts to keep that hope alive and achieve an end to the conflict which fulfils Israeli, as well as Palestinian aspirations. Israeli aspirations for a secure and safe State for the Jewish people, whilst also being a democratic, modern and vibrant State, connected to the world both economically and culturally. It is therefore puzzling to me why any Israeli would want to give up on the two state solution. I have not found anybody that is able to offer a better alternative: one that is sustainable, bring an end to hatred, injustice and humiliation, one that can bring peace and ensure Israel's future according to its legitimate aspirations.
I have been struck by how much the country has changed since I arrived here for the first time, back in 1976, to work on a Kibbutz in the North. In those days, young Europeans and Americans flocked to Israel to take part in the socialist Kibbutz experiment and show solidarity with David in his struggle for survival against the surrounding Arab Goliaths. What Israel has achieved since that time is truly remarkable and calls for deep admiration: from a simple, basically agricultural economy to a modern, strong and prosperous nation, and one of the innovation hubs of the world. What Israel has lost is some of the innocence and sympathy in its transition from being the underdog to being the top dog in your neighbourhood. It is my sincere wish and hope to see Israel continue to prosper and eventually achieve peace with its Arab neighbours. Although I will no longer be able to observe and assist this progress from Tel Aviv, I will certainly continue to follow it from afar.
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