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."[1] 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.
Contents
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. 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.[2]
Principals
Secretariat
- Dimitri Dombret – Director of EFI
- Meital Goor – Israeli Affairs Officer
- Fabian Cohen – Intern
- Source[3]
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[4] | ||
- 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[5]
- Jana Hybášková – chairman of EP interparliamentary delegation for relations with Israel[6]
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.
References
- ↑ EFI, "About Us", EFI website, accessed on 18 October 2010
- ↑ Etgar Lefkovits, EU MPs urged to rethink refugee issue, Jerusalem Post, 10 November 2008
- ↑ Secretariat, EFI (Accessed: 18 October 2007)
- ↑ Steering Committee List updated 25 August 2007, EFI (Accessed: 18 October 2007)
- ↑ CFI Parliamentary Chairman, James Arbuthnot MP helps launch European Friends of Israel (Word doc), Conservative Friends of Israel, 15 Sept 2006.
- ↑ Press Release, personal webiste; press release indicates that she was a co-signatory of the item. 20 June 2007 (Accessed: 16 March 2008)
