Excellencies,

distinguished guests,

I wish to thank the government of Austria for its generosity in hosting us. 

Allow me to express our gratitude to the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E Mr. Sebastian Kurz,  and to his team in Vienna, on the excellent stewardship of the OSCE Mediterranean Conference this year, and to wish you and your team best of luck in chairing the Organization in 2017.

I also wish to extend our deepest appreciation to the Secretary General, to the OSCE Secretariat, and to the Austrian chair of the contact group for the Mediterranean Partners, on this year’s robust agenda which expanded the scope of cooperation with the Mediterranean Partners.

Israel's commitment to the principles of the OSCE, as reflected in the Helsinki final act, and to the goal of a comprehensive security policy, remains steadfast and unwavering, as well as our commitment to the Mediterranean Conference Contact Group. 

As a partner country with much experience given our geopolitical reality, Israel is poised to contribute to the serious and difficult security challenges facing us across all three dimensions.

We participated in the past year in OSCE activities on counter-terrorism, human trafficking and money laundering, and next year we will host a workshop on immigrant integration, organized in partnership with the OSCE and the IOM. These activities signal the deepening of Israel’s involvement in OSCE’s activities.

I am pleased to note that, as part of our commitment to the OSCE’s principles, for the third year Israel has made a financial contribution to the special monitoring mission.

Mr. Chairman,

the most dangerous challenges we are facing today are the strengthening and savagery of non-state terrorist organizations, transnational networks such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda, and the phenomena of terrorists acting alone or in small cells.

New counter terrorism policies and strategies must be developed and adapted to this changing reality. Effective responses to terrorism should include a strong criminal justice-based approach, with respect for the rule of law and human rights. In this field, Israel’s long lasting experience that we openly share with this esteemed organization, can contribute to the world community.

In order to address this phenomenon, states must promote tolerance among civilizations, cultures and religions, and fight radicalization, especially among youth. Israel has welcomed the OSCE conferences on this important issue.

Last year marked the inclusion of the partner countries in the informal working group established by PC Decision 1039, in order to reduce the risk of political or military tensions and conflicts that may stem from the use of ICT’s. We look forward to working together in advancing practical and cooperative activities in the field of cyber security.

Israel acknowledges with gratitude the efforts of the OSCE in promoting a security dialogue between representatives of civil society and academia from the Mediterranean Partner Countries, and for the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences.  We appreciated the opportunity to participate in last year’s Mediterranean Conference which took place in Jordan.

Mr. Chairman,

Israel commends the work of ODIHR in providing a much needed platform for a substantive dialogue and sharing of good practices on some of the roughest challenges facing the 21st century – peace, security and freedom.

We applaud the tireless work of ODIHR in combating anti-Semitism and in teaching the lessons of the Holocaust across the OSCE region.

IHRA, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, adopted this year the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. The IHRA Chair noted the fundamental role that the German OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office played in facilitating the adoption of the working definition.

In order to address the problem of anti-Semitism, there must be clarity about what antisemitism actually is. We believe that if a prominent organization like the OSCE will further adopt the IHRA working definition of antisemitism – this will help provide guidance in answer to this challenging question.

We believe it is important for the OSCE to adopt the same working definition that was adopted by the joint will of historians and diplomats at IHRA.

To give even further voice and concreteness to the fight against antisemitism around the world, we therefore encourage the OSCE and its member states to adopt the IHRA definition as the "OSCE working definition of anti-Semitism".

In the past years we witnessed tragic anti-Semitic attacks against Jews in Europe. When Jewish life in Europe becomes increasingly threatened by extremists and hatemongers, when Jews are forced to contemplate their futures on European soil, no other wake-up call is needed to realize the threat posed to the security, stability, freedom and prosperity of all people across the OSCE region, no matter which religion they practice.

Mr. Chairman,

When so much of the world is in turbulence, Israel aspires to live in peace with its neighbors, to uphold the rule of law, democratic ideals, and the sanctity of holy sites of all faiths.

The government of Israel is working with all those in the region, and beyond, who are committed to enhancing the security, co- existence and welfare of the peoples in the region, even in a changing and profoundly volatile middle east.

It is our sincere hope, that creating a conductive environment for enhanced economic activity, will encourage the resumption of direct negotiations, leading to two states living side by side, in security and in peace- as expressed by Prime Minister Netanyahu, alongside his willingness to meet with President Abbas for these direct, unconditional talks, anywhere in the world.

Mr. Chairman,