European Friends of Israel

European Friends of Israel (EFI) is an Israel lobby group formed in September 2006 to "improve the overall relationship between the European Union and Israel." EFI aims to convince European parliamentarians (either MEPs or MPs) to lobby for Israeli interests primarily in the European Union, but also at the individual European country level. EFI's objectives are well characterized by Michel Gur Ari, EFI's chief executive, who stated: "We have set ourselves a target to turn Europe into Israel's ally." The organizers hope that "the lobby will one day enjoy the influence that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has in Washington". Initially (2006), it was reported that 150 MEP/MPs had joined EFI. The endeavor is reportedly being backed by Jewish businessmen across the continent.

Activities

Targetting UNRWA

In November 2008 European Friends of Israel sponsored a gathering of pro-Israel European parliamentarians and Israeli members of Knesset in alliance with the Israel Allies Caucus Foundation, the international arm of the Knesset's Christian Allies Caucus. Held in Paris, the conference targetted UNRWA, the UN refugee aid agency, in particular blaming it for prolonging the conflict by extending refugee status to the children of refugees.

Speaking at the event, EFI member Paulo Casaca dispensed with causes and focused on the alleged 'misuse' of the refugees by 'those who are dealing in the industry of hate' and keeping refugees on 'a hate-machine'. It is unclear whether he counts UNRWA a part of this industry.

Tzipi Livni addressed the guests and urged them to more aggressively pursue Iran, claiming that Iran is not a threat because it challenges Israel's dominance in the region, but because it allegedly threatens the "entire" world:

Any sign of weakness or lack of determination in order to stop Iran, this can lead to kind of a domino effect of states trying to appease Iran in the understanding that Iran is going to be a regional power in the future..Let's understand together that time works against us, that there is a very small window in terms of time and the determination of the international community in stopping Iran or avoiding a nuclear Iran. It's not an Israeli problem, this is a problem of the entire region and the world."

Principals

Secretariat

• Dimitri Dombret – Director of EFI
• Meital Goor – Israeli Affairs Officer
• Fabian Cohen – Intern

Source

Steering Committee

Gunnar Hökmark MEP, Chairman of EFI	Marek Siwiec MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EU Parliament, Vice-Chairman of EFI	Frédérique Ries MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of EFI
Monika Benova MEP, Member of EFI	Paulo Casaca MEP, Member of EFI	Patrick Gaubert MEP, Member of EFI
Katalin Levai MEP, Member of EFI	Hartmut Nassauer MEP, Member of EFI	Antonio Tajani MEP, Member of EFI
Hannu Takkula MEP, Member of EFI	Charles Tannock MEP, Member of EFI
Source

• EFI original list of principals September 2006

Supporters

• Benita Ferrero-Waldner EU commissioner for external relations and former Austrian Foreign Minister. (attended EFI's Gala event and sang the praises of the organization)
• Elmar Brok MEP, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee for Foreign Affairs
• Jana Hybášková – chairman of EP interparliamentary delegation for relations with Israel

References, Resources and Contact

Contact

Website: www.efi-eu.org

Related Articles

• Ryan R. Jones, EU Gets Its Own Pro-Israel Lobby, All Headline News, 6 September 2006
• Yossi Lempkowicz interviews Dimitri Dombret, A structure for EU parliamentarians friends of Israel, European Jewish Press, 11 September 2006.