Israel is constantly facing threats and security challenges - changing form and figure as time goes by. Thus, the leaders of the country are continuously engaged in finding the best ways to protect its citizens, all of them, and doing so without paralyzing the economic progress and growth which characterize the country. An internal challenge at our doorstep, as we are about to mark 68 years of independence, is preserving and strengthening our unity – Arabs and Jews, religious and secular people, immigrants and natives - while creating shared values on one hand, and protecting the identity of each group on the other.

 

Israel is a peaceful country. The peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan prove that when an Arab leader is willing to take risks for peace, the Israeli leadership will not hesitate to leave aside the past and work towards a political settlement. It was done in 1979 when we signed the peace agreement with Egypt, led by President Sadat and left the Sinai Peninsula. We did it again in 1994 when the peace agreement was signed with King Hussein of Jordan. In both cases the agreements came after years of bloody wars and painful compromises from the Israeli side. In both cases peace proved itself and these two borders are calm. We are not against an agreement with the Palestinians; however, this will require a courageous leadership on the other side. We are capable of painful compromises but we will not commit national suicide. We expect our friends, especially Europe, to understand that. 

 

Israel-Europe relations are based on common values, common ambitions and a common past and future, which we can't ignore. The large numbers of Israeli citizens originating from Europe has also created a cultural linkage between Israel and the continent. The European Union is our largest trade partner and as such our economies are intertwined. Trade and scientific agreements constitute a solid base for cooperation and there is room to expand our cooperation to other fields to our mutual benefit.

 

Unfortunately, alongside our common values we also experience common threats. The most alarming and concreate one is the Islamist radical terror, which has no boundaries and does not distinguish between gender, ages and nationalities. The recent horrifying terror attack that took place in Brussels proves exactly this point. Today both Israel and Europe need to confront new kinds of challenges, which require a common response. The new war will not be conducted between military forces it will take place on an entirely different level.

 

Cyber, for example, is a relatively new "transparent" threat that may critically influence our lives. Both cyber and terror, are borderless threats and therefore fighting it must be a shared effort. Israel, which ever since its inception has faced constant terror threats, is willing to combine forces with the European Union in this battle. 

 

It is no secret that Israel EU relations are not always simple. Different decisions taken by the EU such as labelling of settlements products are unacceptable to us and we believe that they do not serve the purpose of advancing an agreement with the Palestinians, on the contrary. 

However, our relations transcend above the discussion on the political process between us and the Palestinians. Our relations are based on cooperation between two entities that cherish freedom, equality and democracy. It should be based on an open ongoing discourse, developing our cooperation on one hand, and work out our disagreements on the other.  

 

Last February I visited Brussels, heading a Knesset delegation of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee including members from the opposition and coalition. The delegation represented to a large extent the multifaceted dialogue and wide range of opinions within Israel. During the visit I could not but notice the similarity of the challenges and problems we face. When an MEP asked me to evaluate the situation in Syria, this was not for the purpose of an academic exercise; it was based on the realization that the state of play and the future of Syria directly influence the future and character of Europe. The same goes to the strengthening of extremist Islam – it is not a theoretical question, it is a process happening amongst us, both in Israel and the EU and it requires determination and cooperation.

 

My visit to Brussels made me realize the importance of our discourse. Often we believe that we know each other well however, this is often based on perceptions and assumptions. I met friendly and less friendly counterparts, heard some unpleasant remarks and I assume I made some unpleasant remarks, but to me the open and honest dialogue is important in itself in order to establish an intimate relationship between Israel and the EU.