In view of the European Parliament elections,from 22-25 May 2014,when 375 million EU citizens in 28 member states will choose their 751 representatives, the European Jewish Press (EJP), in partnership with the European Jewish Association (EJA), sent current Members of the European Parliament written questions on topics of interest and concern to European Jewry. EJP will regularly publish their answers to these questions.
Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009, the European Parliament has been given more say in policymaking as it plays an important role in shaping European policies. It has also a role in determining who should become the next President of the European Commission, the EU’s powerful decision-making body.
Bastiaan Belder is a Member of the European Parliament from Holland since 1999. He is a member of the Europe of Freedom and democracy Group (EFD). He chairs the European Parliament for relations with Israel and is a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and of the Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Q. Are you worried about the reported rise of populist, extremist and eurosceptic parties ?
B.B: Any party wishing to run for office in the European Union should adhere to the values of the European Union. My party and I believe that the European Union should hand back some of its powers to the Member States as first and foremost, democracy is experienced on a national level. The European Parliament shall insist on the European Commission to use its powers only if there is a clear policy need to do so. The principle of subsidiarity, as set out in the treaties, requires European cooperation when it is to be more effective than national policies. My party and I currently believe that the principle of subsidiarity is not correctly implemented. Correct implementation of it, may in fact, act as a response to the growing Euroscepticism in Member States; as citizens are more willing to accept policies that clearly serve in their best interests.
Q.How should the European Parliament support the fight against rising anti-Semitism in Europe ?
B.B: The fight against rising anti-Semitism in Europe can only be supported by keeping it at the top of our agenda. Any form of anti-Semitism should be denounced in the strongest possible terms and peaceful coexistence with our Jewish neighbours in Europe shall be preached and publicly supported. The rights of minorities in Europe, such as the Jewish, Roma and Siniti communities shall be respected and preserved.
I have put the fight against anti-Semitism as one of my top priorities in my work at the European Parliament since 1999; when I first was elected as a MEP until today, in my current role of Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Israel. This hard work is reflected in, for example, the report on combating racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in the countries applicant for membership in the Foreign Affairs committee in 2000 and which was adopted. More recently, as Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Israel, I have hosted several meetings on the fight against anti-Semitsm in Europe, the delegitimisation of Israel and freedom of religion in Europe in the presence of officials from the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry, the National Union of Israeli students, Yad Vashem, the European Jewish Community Centre and the European Commission. Besides my many activities in Brussels, I always take time to meet with members of the Jewish communities both in my own country, the Netherlands, as well as abroad.
Lastly, the EU and Israel have in partnership agreed to combat anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia in the EU – Israel Action Plan and thus, the EP should insist on its implementation.
Q. Is delegitimisation of Israel a ‘politically correct’ form of anti-Semitism?
B.B: The delegitimisation of the State of Israel in the international arena is truly unacceptable and it is a clear form of anti-Semitism. It shall not be tolerated and should be denounced in the strongest possible terms. The security of Israel as a Jewish democratic State shall be preserved and supported in EU’s relations with Israel as well as in EU’s external policy with other, relevant, countries.
Q. Do you believe that boycotting Israeli products made in the West Bank settlements helps advance the peace process? Do you feel the European Parliament has an anti-Israel agenda?
B.B: Boycotting Israeli products does in no way advance the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP). What advances the MEPP is direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, with international support and when desired, its facilitation.
Q. Are you concerned that labelling and/or boycotting these products will have negative consequences for the thousands of Palestinians working in the West Bank in Israeli companies?
B.B: I am concerned for anyone whose job is or will be affected by the boycott or labelling of products of Israeli companies located in the West Bank. Given that salaries for Palestinians working at Israeli companies located in the West Bank are generally higher; I hope that those who pressed and called for the boycott have thought of measures to ensure that the Palestinians (who they said were to benefit) will have employment that provides a similar or even a better salaries and working conditions as they have enjoyed while working for Israeli companies in the West Bank.
Q. Have you previously been to Israel? When? What was the purpose of your visit?
B.B: I have travelled to Israel on many occasions and especially more often in recent years as the Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Israel. With every visit, I am in awe with the beauty of the country, its diversity, its strong democratic values and its welcoming citizens.
Q. Do you think the Israelis want peace with the Palestinians?
B.B: I believe the Israelis want peace with the Palestinians and I believe that peace should not come at any cost; true peace between Israelis and Palestinians will only occur when the Israelis live in a secure democratic Jewish state. Israel is first and foremost the State of the Jewish people where they may and must live in peace and security. These basic premises and rights should be recognised by the neighbouring countries including the Palestinians.
Q. Can Iran be relied upon in its negotiations with the West on its nuclear programme?
B.B: Iran should be judged on its merit, on its actions – not on its promises. Firstly, the West should be reminded that numerous UN Security Council resolutions spoke out against Iran developing nuclear capability. Thus, in the current ongoing negotiations, these UN Security Council resolutions shall be respected. Nevertheless, Iran has disregarded all UN Security Council resolutions. My party and I wish for the EU to closely cooperate with the US to put pressure on Iran in order to stop it from developing nuclear capability. Policy examples to acquire the desired goal would be in resorting to diplomatic pressure, sanctions and support for the IAEA.
Secondly, if Iran truly intends to develop nuclear capabilities for peaceful purposes, then why is it investing in missiles that can carry nuclear heads? We shall not be naïve in these ongoing negotiations and remind ourselves who our natural partner in the Middle East is; the only democratic state in that region – Israel. Israel’s security needs are indispensible. If Iran threatens our partner, Israel, either directly or indirectly we shall speak out and denounce it in the strongest possible terms.
Thirdly, I would call upon Iran to stop the funding of terrorism and destabilisation in the Middle East; from Israel to Afghanistan to Iraq. Iranian terrorism reaches much further than the Middle East: it causes terror to Israeli and Jewish communities in and outside the EU: from Buenos Aires, to Cyprus, India, Thailand and Bulgaria. Especially when such actions take place on European soil, the EU shall respond in the strongest possible terms. The EU has a responsibility to protect its citizens against terror.
Q. What is your reaction to the attacks in several European countries against Jewish religious practices such as circumcision and ritual slaughter?
B.B: I condemn strongly the trend within Europe of limiting religious practices such as circumcision and ritual slaughter; practices that have for centuries been part of Jewish life in Europe. As a religious Christian myself, being able to live within religious boundaries and practise religious rituals and commandments is true freedom. This should not be taken away from our Jewish neighbours in our midst. The rights of minorities shall be preserved in Europe and it shall be defended; the level of liberty and freedom enjoyed by religious minorities is an inseparable part of our European values and fundamental freedoms.
I am very much outspoken on this subject and it is in this context that I hosted in partnership with the European Jewish Community Centre, an event to address the worrying trend of limiting Jewish religious practices in Europe under the title “Secular Europe and Freedom of Religion: What are the Limits?” on March 25th 2014 at the European Parliament.
Q. When faced with the results of a Fundamental Rights Agency survey which shows that a significant number of Jews in Europe have considered leaving their respective countries because of anti-Semitism, what is your reaction?
B.B: My first reaction is one of condemnation of anti-Semitism in the strongest possible terms: anti-Semitism has no place in Europe in past, present and future. Anti-Semitism is a topic I have condemned since serving as an elected Member of the European Parliament; in 2000 I submitted a report on combating racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in the countries applicant for membership in the Foreign Affairs committee that was adopted. More recently, in February of this year, I hosted a dynamic and thought provoking debate on “Freedom of Speech and anti-Semitism: What are the limits?” in partnership with the European Jewish Community Centre. As long as I will be serving – hopefully for another five years if re-elected – I will stand up for the interests of European Jewry and do my utmost to ensure that their voices are being heard; as I have done until today, at the heart of Europe, here in Brussels, and at the elected body by the European citizens – of which our Jewish neighbours are an integral part.
Q. Is there a future for Jews, especially the younger generation, in Europe?
B.B: I am a politician; not a fortune-teller. I sincerely hope that Jewish life in Europe will remain as it has remained spanning over many centuries, that it will know no dark days only bright days and that all of European Jewry may enjoy a prosperous future – young and old. I, for one, can assure you that I will continue, if elected, my work in my capacity as an elected Member of the European Parliament, to seek that the voices and interests of European Jewry are being served in EU policy making, together in partnership with the Jewish communities – our European neighbours.