Members of the alliance of right-wing parties ECR (European Conservatives and Reformists) in the European Parliament arrived in Israel over the weekend to hold one of the group's two annual conferences in Jerusalem.
Despite being part of the EU's legislative body, the organization, of which the Israeli Likud is also a member, defied Brussels' stance that the Israeli capital should not have official EU recognition as such because it is in dispute.
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NO EU country has so far moved its embassy to Jerusalem, and thus, holding this conference is a show of solidarity by de facto legitimizing Israel's claim.
The alliance has 66 members from 14 parties from around the world. So far, its members have succeeded in passing European Parliament, and the data even show that ECR has voted the most times in favor of Israel.
The president of the alliance is Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, who is known for her warm relationship with Israel and only a few months ago received an official request from Netanyahu to consider moving the Italian embassy to Jerusalem. Since then officials in the country claim that the request is being considered positively.
However, it should be noted that despite the warm embrace of the ECR, the Foreign Ministry boycotts some parties that are members of the alliance and that belong to the extreme right.
An official in the alliance told Israel Hayom that despite this position, it was decided to use the alliance's funds and come to Israel, and during the weekend its members also visited the holy sites in Jerusalem. The members of the delegation were hosted by Minister of Intelligence Gila Gamaliel, on behalf of the Likud faction.
At a conference held yesterday, Secretary General of the ECR Antonio Giordano revealed some of the pressures exerted on the alliance not to come to Israel: "When we decided to organize the annual event in Jerusalem, shortly after the attack that took place in April, we were asked if we were sure of this decision. Our response was decisive: If not now, when?
"The people of the Right show solidarity with each other not when there is power to share it but when you have to stand by friends in trouble."
Minister of Intelligence Gila Gamliel met with the group, saying: "Those who share our view that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Jewish state must join forces. We must operate proactively to preserve Jerusalem's status."
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