In view of the European Parliament elections, from 22-25 May 2014, when 375 million EU citizens in 28 member states will choose their 751 representatives, the European Jewish Press (EJP), in partnership with the European Jewish Association (EJA), sent current Members of the European Parliament written questions on topics of interest and concern to European Jewry. EJP will regularly publish their answers to these questions.
Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009, the European Parliament has been given more say in policymaking as it plays an important role in shaping European policies. It has also a role in determining who should become the next President of the European Commission, the powerful decision-making body.
Miguel Angel Martinez is a Spanish Member of the European Parliament from the S&D (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats) group since 1999. He is one of the Vice-Presidents of the parliament. The group is the second largest in the current Assembly.
Q. Are you worried about the predicted rise of populist, extremist and eurosceptic parties?
MAM: Of course, I am worried about the predicted rise of populist, extremist and eurosceptic parties, and the consequences that such a rise might mean for the composition of the European Parliament which might result of the elections of next May. Nevertheless, I am convinced that such increase will not be too significant, and that the major traditional political groups will retain a large enough majority to conduct the work of the Chamber in a reasonable way. The problem might be that this daily work may be somehow tougher because of the noise and filibustering of a number of extremist new Members, and possible eurosceptic groups.
Q. How should the European Parliament support the fight against rising anti-Semitism in Europe?
MAM: The European Parliament has been systematically condemning anti-Semitism wherever such a dangerous and disgusting phenomenon has appeared in Europe. No major change seems to me necessary in this respect but, of course, the Parliament must remain vigilant to groups and tendencies that may contribute to raise anti-Semitism and any other form of racism.
Q. Do you think that delegitimisation of Israel is a ‘politically correct’ form of anti-Semitism?
MAM: I do not accept the formulation of delegitimsation of Israel, as well as I do not accept that there may be any form of anti-Semitism that one might define as politically correct. As an old friend of Israel, I have always believed that criticising whatever I disagreed with in Israel was something to what I was entitled precisely as a friend, and I have always found shameful people or movements which identified any criticism to Israel, as anti-Semitism.
Q. Do you believe that boycotting Israeli products made in the West Bank settlements helps advance the peace process? Do you feel the European Parliament has an anti-Israel agenda?
MAM: The West Bank settlements seem to me illegal according to International Law; I therefore understand that some people may come to the idea of boycotting products made there. Nevertheless, such an initiative has never come to my mind and, as far as I know, it has never been discussed at the European Parliament.
I absolutely refuse to say that the European Parliament may have any anti-Israeli agenda. As a matter of fact, on a number of occasions, the Israel Authorities, led by different Governments, have produced obvious violations of human rights that might have called for action foreseen in the cooperation agreement signed by the European Union and Israel. Nevertheless, not a single time the relevant procedures were even launched for the foreseen response, which in my opinion makes obvious that, if at all one-sided, the agenda of the European Parliament might be described as pro-Israeli.
Q. Are you concerned that labelling and/or boycotting these products will have negative consequences for the thousands of Palestinians working in the West Bank in Israeli companies?
MAM: Boycotting products made in the West Bank settlements might have some negative consequences for the employment of many Palestinians working in those settlements. This formulation seems to me more fair than talking about Palestinians working in the West Bank in Israeli companies. In the previous response I have said what I think about boycotting such products; in any case, I would prefer to hear the views of the Palestinian Authorities themselves concerning such a possibility. I am surprised about what refers to labelling those products. As a European ordinary demand, it is compulsory to label any goods wherever they are produced. Hiding the place of production would only prove very bad conscience by the companies which might endeavour to export them to the European markets.
Q. Have you previously been to Israel? When? What was the purpose of your visit?
MAM : I have been dozens of times in Israel from 1964 on, and for very different purposes. Working in kibbutz was one of them. Meeting Prime Ministers Eshkol, Golda Meir, and others was another reason, participating in youth camps, one more, addressing the plenary of the Knesset, for instance, was the most relevant occasion.
Q. Do you think the Israelis want peace with the Palestinians?
MAM: I believe that a good number of Israelis want peace with the Palestinians, and probably many others find that peace is somehow unavoidable for the future of their homeland, even if peace with their neighbours is not an alternative they are fascinated about. But I am equally convinced that there is a considerable part of the Israeli population which has accommodated itself with the current situation, and rather prefers to see no change, at least for the time being.
Q. Can Iran be relied upon in its negotiations with the West on its nuclear programme?
MAM : It is not only that Iran can be relied: it must be relied, following negotiations which are serious and reliable. The alternative would be refusing a chance to peace in the area, and I have always been convinced that if peace is not secured, nobody would be more endangered than Israel and its population.
Q.What is your reaction to the attacks in several European countries against Jewish religious practices such as circumcision and ritual slaughter?
MAM: I must admit that I am not aware about such attacks, and even less against religious practices as circumcision which, by the way, are by far an exclusive practice of the Jewish people, but in numerical terms, much more a practice of Muslims all over the world.
Q.When faced with the results of a Fundamental Rights Agency survey which shows that a significant number of Jews in Europe have considered leaving their respective countries because of anti-Semitism, what is your reaction?
MAM: I am not aware of this statement: I know many Jews in many European countries, and indeed some of them have decided to change their residence because different reasons, but I have never heard of a single case of Jews having emigrated because of anti-Semitism.
Q. Is there a future for Jews, especially the younger generation, in Europe?
MAM: Certainly, there is a future for Jews, younger or older, as well as there is a present for Jews, which in general, statistically, enjoy average living conditions of other Europeans wherever they live in Europe.