Difference between revisions of "European Friends of Israel"

From Powerbase
Jump to: navigation, search
(Supporters)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
'''European Friends of Israel''' (EFI) was formed in September 2006, and it aims to become a lobbying organization in Europe.  It aims to join many 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.
 
'''European Friends of Israel''' (EFI) was formed in September 2006, and it aims to become a lobbying organization in Europe.  It aims to join many 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. 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.<ref> Etgar Lefkovits, [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1225910077853&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull EU MPs urged to rethink refugee issue], ''Jerusalem Post'', 10 November 2008</ref>
  
 
==Principals==
 
==Principals==
Line 23: Line 29:
  
 
<tr>
 
<tr>
<td>[[Monika Beňová]]
+
<td>[[Monika Benova]]
  
 
<br>MEP, Member of EFI</td>
 
<br>MEP, Member of EFI</td>
Line 35: Line 41:
  
 
<tr>
 
<tr>
<td>[[Katalin Lévai]]
+
<td>[[Katalin Levai]]
  
 
<br>MEP, Member of EFI</td>
 
<br>MEP, Member of EFI</td>
Line 63: Line 69:
 
*[[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)
 
*[[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<ref>[http://www.cfoi.co.uk/Briefings/073%20-%2015.09.2006.doc CFI Parliamentary Chairman, James Arbuthnot MP helps launch European Friends of Israel] (Word doc), Conservative Friends of Israel, 15 Sept 2006.</ref>
 
*[[Elmar Brok]] MEP, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee for Foreign Affairs<ref>[http://www.cfoi.co.uk/Briefings/073%20-%2015.09.2006.doc CFI Parliamentary Chairman, James Arbuthnot MP helps launch European Friends of Israel] (Word doc), Conservative Friends of Israel, 15 Sept 2006.</ref>
*[[Jana Hyb&aacute;&#353;kov&aacute;]] &ndash; chairman of EP interparliamentary delegation for relations with Israel<ref>[http://www.hybaskova.cz/hybaskova/European-friends-of-Israel-20.6.2008~.html Press Release], personal webiste; press release indicates that she was a co-signatory of the item.  20 June 2007 (Accessed: 16 March 2008)</ref>
+
*Jana Hyb&aacute;&#353;kov&aacute; &ndash; chairman of EP interparliamentary delegation for relations with Israel<ref>[http://www.hybaskova.cz/hybaskova/European-friends-of-Israel-20.6.2008~.html Press Release], personal webiste; press release indicates that she was a co-signatory of the item.  20 June 2007 (Accessed: 16 March 2008)</ref>
  
 
==References, Resources and Contact==
 
==References, Resources and Contact==

Revision as of 19:48, 20 August 2010

European Friends of Israel (EFI) was formed in September 2006, and it aims to become a lobbying organization in Europe. It aims to join many 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. 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.[1]

Principals

Secretariat

Source[2]

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[3]

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[4]
  • Jana Hybášková – chairman of EP interparliamentary delegation for relations with Israel[5]

References, Resources and Contact

Contact

Website: www.efi-eu.org

Related Articles

References

  1. Etgar Lefkovits, EU MPs urged to rethink refugee issue, Jerusalem Post, 10 November 2008
  2. Secretariat, EFI (Accessed: 18 October 2007)
  3. Steering Committee List updated 25 August 2007, EFI (Accessed: 18 October 2007)
  4. CFI Parliamentary Chairman, James Arbuthnot MP helps launch European Friends of Israel (Word doc), Conservative Friends of Israel, 15 Sept 2006.
  5. Press Release, personal webiste; press release indicates that she was a co-signatory of the item. 20 June 2007 (Accessed: 16 March 2008)