EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that freedom of expression in the EU is applicable to the anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Disinvestment, Sanctions) movement.

She also said that ‘’the EU rejects the BDS campaign’s attempts to isolate Israel and is opposed to any boycott of Israel.”

“The EU stands firm in protecting freedom of expression and freedom of association in line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which is applicable on EU Member States’ territory, including with regard to BDS actions carried out on this territory,” Mogherini said in a written reply to a question to the Europeanb Commission from Martina Anderson, an Irish member of the European Parliament known for her anti-Israel position. She heads the European Parliament’s “Delegation for relations with Palestine”.

“Freedom of expression, as underlined by the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, is also applicable to information or ideas ‘that offend, shock or disturb the State or any sector of the population,’” Mogherini, who is also Vic-President of the European Commission, said.

Asked for a comment on Mogherini’s statement, Israel’s foreign ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Nahshon told European Jewish Press (EJP) : ‘’On February 2016 (Israeli Prime Minister) Nethanyhu met Federica Mogherini, and in that meeting she sayd very loudly and clear that the Eu is against any kind of BDS .She said it personally to the Prime Minister and also to the Press. From our point of view this is what is important.’’

In the meantime, the outgoing director of the EU foreign ministry’s Middle East and Northern Africa department said : ‘’There is a difference of views on issues concerning the Palestinians but at the same time there is no other country in the region the EU has a stronger relationship with than Israel.”

Berger, who over the years has been blamed by Israeli officials for many of the EU’s perceived pro-Palestinian policies, made the comment in a statement he provided to Israel’s diplomatic mission in Brussels on the occasion of his leaving the post, the Times of Israel reported.

“I wish the country well,” said Berger. “Israel will continue to prosper but I also hope she will find peace in a troubled region during troubled times. And, I hope Israel will remain a strong friend and partner of Europe.”

EJP