According to the latest Eurobarometer Survey, security and the fight against terrorism remain the Europeans’ top concerns across the European Union.

The need for international cooperation and effective legislation and implementation was addressed Thursday at a conference organised in the European Parliament in Brussels by the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM) in collaboration with the European Coalition for Israel (ECI) on the topic : ‘’Terrorism and Security : What the EU can learn from Israel.’’

Dutch Member of the European Parliament Bastiaan Belder who hosted the event together with is colleague from Slovakia Branislav Skripek spoke of Israel's past being “a history of a permanent fight against terror” and the lessons which EU can learn from their achievements to counter terrorism. ‘’The EU is in the midst of this struggle,’’ said Skripek.

With the memory of the Holocaust in its mind, Israel absolutely prioritizes the security of its citizens in the fight against all forms of terrorism.

Tomas Sandell, Director of the European Coalition for Israel, spoke of the need for a “a coherent security policy which builds on universal values”, both inside and outside of the European Union, including our responsibility to prevent terror financing and EU funding being used to further radicalisation. He cited as example the incitement to violence against Israelis by the Palestinians. He also denounced the fact that when one speaks of terrorism in the world what happens in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem is not mentioned. ‘’Hamas, which is branded as a terrorist group by the EU, receives funds raised by charities and foundations in Europe.The EU Commission should stop it’’.

He stressed the need to engage with the Muslim communities religious leaders a dialogue about the use of violence in the name of religion. ‘’We need to support the moderate Muslim leaders.’’

Yehiel Hilik Bar, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, stated that "at a time when terrorism and matters of security have become critical concerns internationally”, it is of the utmost importance that Israeli and European leaders work together to maintain safety and security.’’ ‘’Israel prevents dozens of terror attacks every week,’’ he said. ‘’No one has more experience in defeating terror than Israel.’’ ‘’Destroying terror is possible, it’s in our hands. Israel has shown that when the battle is existential we have no other choice than to be victorious,’’ Bar said.

He also encouraged the European leaders to addresss Muslim societies, fight against anti-Semitism and BDS ‘’that singles out the Jewish State and breeds the terrorists.’’

Shuli Davidovich, Representative of the Israeli Mission to the EU on Security and relations with NATO, expanded on the opportunities for cooperation between EU and Israel. “Israel and the Europe are a part of the same family”, she stated, ‘It is only natural, therefore, that we also face together the same threats and challenges of incitement and radicalism. Israel stands with Europe in the joint fight against the plague of terrorism”.

Katharina von Schnurbein, the European coordinator on combating Anti-Semitism, spoke of a worrying situation regarding anti-Semitism in Europe. She mentioned in particular the increase of anti-Semitic incidents in France and the UK. But she stressed that security of the Jewish institutions is the responsibility of the member states. ‘’They have to take their responsibilities,'' she said, adding the need to support smaller Jewish communities to protect their infrastructures.’

''Jews in Europe are European citizens and should live their lives like the other citizens,'' von Schnurbein said. ''Their security is also our security.''

She mentioned that the EU Commission has close contacts with Israel and that next week EU officials will meet their Israeli counterparts in Jerusalem for the 10th annual EU-Israel seminar on fighting anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia. Also within the EU Commission itself, training for civil servants on Holocaust and modern anti-Semitism is taking place.

Rabbi Avi Tawil, Executive Director of the European Jewish Community Center, stressed that the solution to violence and discrimination for the Jewish communities in Europe, which are particularly affected by terrorism, is to have “more presence in the public conversations as proud members of the European family”. Rabbi Tawil also stressed that at the same time, “we cannot afford to lower security standards in Jewish institutions in Europe” even after a relatively calm period since the summer terror attacks.

by Yossi Lempkowicz