The European Union is known for its critical tone toward Israel, but a speech from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev on Tuesday may signal a change in policy from Brussels.
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Addressing the audience, she said, "Europe and Israel are bound to be friends and allies. Because the history of Europe is the history of the Jewish people."
She said, "I have put the fight against antisemitism and fostering Jewish life in Europe at the core of the European Commission's agenda. Our democracy flourishes if Jewish life in Europe flourishes, too. Throughout the centuries, the Jewish people have been 'a light unto the nations'. And they shall be a light unto Europe for many centuries ahead."
Turning to practical matters, the European Commission president hailed a planned pipeline to supply east Mediterranean gas to Europe as "an investment in both Europe's and Israel's energy security. And this infrastructure will also contribute to decarbonizing our energy mix."
Europe is highly interested in importing gas from Israel to contend with an EU boycott of Russian natural gas following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. To date, Russia supplies some 40% of the gas the continent consumes. The EU is particularly keen to secure alternative gas supplies to contend with the upcoming winter season. If alternative sources are not found, Europeans could be forced to pay exorbitant prices to heat their homes.
Jerusalem, Brussels, and Cairo are currently in talks toward a deal that would see Israeli gas sent to Egypt, where it will be liquefied, and from there shipped to Europe, where it will be changed back to gas.
Nearing the end of her speech, the European Commission president said, "Israel is a vibrant democracy. Its resilience is admired worldwide." She concluded her remarks by saying, "Am Yisrael Chai," a Hebrew expression meaning "the people of Israel live."
Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi wrapped up a two-day visit to Israel on Tuesday. While in Israel, Draghi met with President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, and Foreign Minister and Prime Minister-designate Yair Lapid.
A significant portion of Draghi's meetings with officials focused on the global impact of the war in Ukraine. He noted Italy's need for alternative energy supplies to replace those from Russia as well as the grain shortage.
Bennett took the opportunity to raise the issue of the Iranian threat as well as Italy's anti-Israel voting record at the UN. Italy votes in favor of anti-Israel resolutions introduced at the UN General Assembly 75% of the time, data shows, and in other UN votes, abstains.
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