One of the most outspoken pro-Israel voice in the European Parliament, Dutch MEP Bastiaan Belder, has joined the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the new EU Parliament.
Belder, a member of the European Parliament since 1999, was reelected in last May EU elections as a candidate for the Dutch Reformed Party (SGP).
In the previous parliament, Belder was a member of the Europe for Freedom and Democracy (EFD) group led by British Eurosceptic Nigel Farage.
But Belder, 67, campaigned in coalition with another Dutch party, the ChristianUnion, whose single MEP is a member of the ECR group.
ECR is made up of British Conservatives and other MEPs from Eastern European countries. It is probably one of the most Israel-friendly group in the Parliament.
“The consultations in the past days have built sufficient trust with Belder to join the faction,” the SGP said a statement.
Belder’s move delivers one more seat to the ECR, bringing them to a total of 64 seats.
The ECR, which has elected British MEP Syed Kamall as its new leader, might become the third largest group in the 751-member new European Parliament behind the European People’s Party (EPP, Christian-Democrats-221 seats) and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D, 191 seats).
The first session of the new EU Parliament is scheduled on 1-3 July, in Strasbourg.
According to informed sources, Bastiaan Belder, who was a member of influential foreign affairs committee, is likely to be reelected chairman of the European Parliament delegation for relations with Israel.
In an interview with European Jewish Press (EJP) ahead of the May elections, Belder stressed the necessity to continue in the European Parliament the fight against anti-Semitism and against the demonization of Israel.
‘’I have put the fight against anti-Semitism as one of my top priorities in my work at the European Parliament since 1999,’’ he said.
‘’The delegitimisation of the State of Israel in the international arena is truly unacceptable and it is a clear form of anti-Semitism. It shall not be tolerated and should be denounced in the strongest possible terms. The security of Israel as a Jewish democratic State shall be preserved and supported in EU’s relations with Israel as well as in EU’s external policy with other, relevant, countries,’’ he said.
He has also denounced attempts in Europe to limit or ban Jewish religious practices such as circumcision and ritual slaughter. ‘’As a religious Christian myself, being able to live within religious boundaries and practise religious rituals and commandments is true freedom. This should not be taken away from our Jewish neighbours in our midst. The rights of minorities shall be preserved in Europe and it shall be defended; the level of liberty and freedom enjoyed by religious minorities is an inseparable part of our European values and fundamental freedoms.’’