Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament and the center-left’s candidate to lead the European Commission after the EU parliament elections, said the EU ‘’has no intention to boycott Israel.’’
‘’For me as a German boycotting Israel products is totally unthinkable and unacceptable. I have made this clear on several occasions including during my recent visit to Israel that I am opposed to boycotts. I am of the conviction that what we need is more cooperation, not division,’’ he said in response to written questions sent by the European Jewish Press (EJP) in partnership with the European Jewish Association (EJA) on topics of interest and concern to European Jewry in view of the European Parliament elections,from 22-25 May.
Around 400 millions EU citizens are eligible in 28 member states to choose the 751 members of the new European Parliament.
For Martin Schulz, who is the candidate of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) to succeed Jose Manuel Barroso at the head of the EU Executive Commission, ''once a definitive peace agreement will be signed between Israel and the Palestinians the EU pledged to provide ‘’unprecedented support, in the form of funding and human resources, under a special privileged partnership.’’
‘’The agreement reached by the Foreign Ministers in December will also afford Israel and a future State of Palestine easier access to the European market, will facilitate trade and investment, will enhance cultural and scientific exchanges and will lead to closer cooperation in the area of security,’’ he stressed.
In his responses, he stressed that the European Parliament ‘’is not anti-Israel,’’, giving the passing of the ACCA trade agreement as an example.
‘’There are different majorities on each subject. Occasional constructive criticism of Israel can be perceived as being anti-Israeli. That is not the case. I am a friend of Israel. Friends must be able to be frank with each other,’’ Schulz said.
He stressed the ‘’need to unite our efforts to fight any manifestation of extreme nationalism, discrimination, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and racism throughout Europe.’’
‘’Anti-Semitism and racism are a threat to our basic values - those of democracy and respect for diversity and human rights, ‘’ he added.
‘’Those who are strong, and especially those who have a public responsibility - ministers, members of a parliament, mayors, representatives of public institutions, and even of economic institutions, CEOs of big enterprises, directors of movies, novel writers or painters, whoever is in public life representing our society - must have the courage in our times to stand up wherever and whenever a racist, an anti-Semite, raises his or her voice and condemn it.’’
Following are Martin Schulz’s answers to the questions :

Q: Are you worried about the reported rise of populist, extremist and eurosceptic parties?

Martin Schulz: To some extent yes I am concerned. Although in no way will they dominate the European Parliament. These parties will not be able to block the European Parliament's mainstream work and they remain a minority. Mainstream constructive parties will still be a majority in the European Parliament.
These extremist parties offer scapegoats rather than solutions. We need to listen to their concerns. But the mainstream must offer concrete solutions especially on youth unemployment and reducing tax evasion.

Q : How should the European Parliament support the fight against rising anti-Semitism in Europe?

Martin Schulz: The European Parliament is a strong supporter of democratic values. Anti-Semitism and racism are a threat to our basic values – those of democracy and respect for diversity and human rights.
For example, I have hosted the International Holocaust Remembrance Day event in the European Parliament for three years in the row. I did so as President of the European Parliament and as a German and as a European politician. Each year it becomes ever more important to commemorate The Shoah. To pass on the message that hatred and anti-Semitism can deliver unthinkable tragedies.
Yet Remembrance Day is not an exclusive ‘one-day’ event. It is a permanent duty – every day – to be prepared to fight for freedom, to fight for our democracy, to fight for dignity, to fight for respect, and to be courageous. To be courageous is very difficult. But those who are strong, and especially those who have a public responsibility – ministers, members of a parliament, mayors, representatives of public institutions, and even of economic institutions, CEOs of big enterprises, directors of movies, novel writers or painters, whoever is in public life representing our society – must have the courage in our times to stand up wherever and whenever a racist, an anti-Semite, raises his or her voice and condemn it.

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?

Martin Schulz: Let me underline : the EU has no intention to boycott Israel. For me as a German boycotting Israel products is totally unthinkable and unacceptable. I have made this clear on several occasions including during my recent visit to Israel that I am opposed to boycotts. I am of the conviction that what we need is more cooperation, not division.
Once a definitive peace agreement has been signed, we have pledged to provide unprecedented support, in the form of funding and human resources, under a special privileged partnership. The agreement reached by the Foreign Ministers in December will also afford Israel and a future State of Palestine easier access to the European market, will facilitate trade and investment, will enhance cultural and scientific exchanges and will lead to closer cooperation in the area of security.
The European Parliament is not anti-Israel, take the passing of the ACCA trade agreement as an example. There are different majorities on each subject. Occasional constructive criticism of Israel can be perceived as being anti-Israeli. That is not the case. I am a friend of Israel. Friends must be able to be frank with each other.

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?

Martin Schulz: Nationalist, populist and extremist parties are gaining ground, even winning elections, in the European Union. An MP in Budapest called for Jews to be registered on lists as threats to national security. University professors are being told "Jews, the university is ours, not yours". In Greece, a party openly embraces Nazi ideology through its imagery and its criminal actions.
So no, the demons of the past have certainly not been laid to rest, and we European Institutions have a special responsibility to raise awareness of this and fight against it. Because we are here as a result of the catastrophic first half of the twentieth century, Because we are an answer to those dreadful experiences, to the absence of respect for basic human rights and fundamental democratic standards. This is why I appreciate the Fundamental Rights Agency work on its new survey on Jewish people’s experiences and perceptions of hate crime, discrimination and anti-Semitism in the EU.
Both at EU and national levels, we need such robust data in order to develop effective policy responses to combat anti-Semitism in all its guises, be it on the way to school, on the internet, in the media or in political life.

Q : Is there a future for Jews, especially the younger generation, in Europe?

Martin Schulz: Yes of course here must be a future for Jews and the younger generation in Europe. Europe must be a tolerant if it is to prosper. The European Union was founded on the commitment that war in Europe must be prevented and that reconciliation of arch-enemies is the best way to ensure peace. We need to unite our efforts to fight any manifestation of extreme nationalism, discrimination, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and racism throughout Europe. Still today, in parts of Europe, we see the demons of the past raise their ugly heads. This is warning to all of us. As Edmund Burke said "All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." The EU is not only a political project; it is a promise not to repeat the mistakes from our past anymore. The European Union is the best example in the world of reconciliation and can serve as an inspiration to others. I am particularly proud that in my home country - Germany - all across the country, Jewish communities are growing and thriving.
Regrettably, anti-Semitic acts are still carried out in Europe from desecrating graves to abusive language. This is unacceptable and against all our values. The European Parliament will defend the values of tolerance and anti-discrimination will all its forces.