European Coalition for Israel

ECI salutes Czech Senate President for standing up for Israel

Sends letter of protest to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs

Brussels, 4 June, 2010 - European Coalition for Israel salutes the brave and courageous statements made in support for Israel by Czech senate president Premysl Sobotka. During a visit to Israel on Thursday Sobotka said that "the Turkish flotilla was a planned provocation designed to entrap Israel." He went on to say that "many in the European Community feel as I do but they are afraid to speak out."

ECI now calls upon political leaders in all parts of Europe to show similar courage and openly express their solidarity with Israel during this difficult time of world condemnation. The organisation has sent a personal letter to the  European Union High Representative of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, who is currently calling for "an immediate and unconditional lifting of the blockade of Hamas controlled Gaza." ECI wants to remind Lady Ashton that this is the same organization which the EU is keeping on the terrorist black list because of its doctrinal commitment to destroy the state of Israel. Read more...

ECI calls for calm and restraint after Gaza flotilla tragedy Real motives behind sail to Gaza to be questioned

Helsinki, 31 May, 2010 – The European Coalition for Israel deeply regrets the loss of life in connection with the interception of the “Free Gaza” Flotilla off the coast of Gaza this morning.

“- This tragic event has only losers and no winners”, said ECI director Tomas Sandell in a statement in Helsinki on Monday. He warned for any premature conclusions as to the ultimate responsibility for the loss of life.

“- If the objective of the Flotilla activists was to send humanitarian aid to the Palestinians suffering under Hamas in Gaza, they could have done so peacefully by accepting the Israeli offer to transfer the aid to Gaza. If, on the other hand, the organizers wanted to protest the blockade of Gaza they could have considered sailing to Egypt, which is also blocking its borders with Gaza ”, Sandell said. Read more...

EP President Jerzy Buzek sends strong message of support to Holocaust survivors in Jerusalem

Jerusalem 10 May, 2010 – The European Coalition for Israel played a key role at the first official Victory day celebration to be held in Jerusalem on Sunday 9 May, the day marking the final defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. The day is celebrated as “victory day” around the world as well as “Europe-day” in the European Union. Newly elected ECI chairman Harald Eckert took part in the commemoration event at Yad Vashem, along with members of the Israeli Government and of the diplomatic corpus, and had the honor to lay down flowers by the monument of those Jews who lost their lives fighting for the freedom of Israel. ECI was the only NGO to be given this honor, alongside representatives of the diplomatic corpus from some 60 countries.

The European presence was further highlighted by a personal message by European parliament president Jerzy Buzek which was delivered to the meeting by ECI.

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