In the face of bloody attacks on Israeli citizens, over 100 Members of the European Parliament gathered in Strasbourg to show their solidarity with Israel, at the annual European Jewish Congress dinner-debate on Europe-Israel relations, Wednesday the 15th of November.

Taking place for the first time within the European Parliament, the some 120 Parliament members, coming from all mainstream European political groups and almost all EU Member States, were addressed by Israeli Interior Minister Ronnie Bar-On.

European Jewish Congress President Pierre Besnainou solemnly opened the conference by eulogizing all casualties of the Israeli-Arab conflict, harshly condemning the tragic death of an Israeli citizen and the serious injury of another by the relentless barrage of Qassam rockets that continue to be launched into Israel from the Gaza Strip.

“The violent casulties in Israel today shows that Hamas and Islamic Jihad have only one target – civilians,” Pierre Besnainou said in his opening speech to the Parliament Members. “My thoughts go out to all the civilians touched by this terrible conflict, including Lebanese and Palestinian victims of Israeli operations. Yet these casualties were the terrible result of technical errors, while Israelis are killed by those whose singular goal is to murder and maim civilians.”

Minister Bar-On also expressed his condolences for the attack of earlier in the day, and explained to the gathered MEPs the importance of Europe in securing a sustainable Middle East peace and countering the growing threat of a nuclear Iran. “Israel can only solve this crisis by a joint effort of the European Union and the United States” stated Mr Bar On, “The deep bond between Israel and the European Union is born of their both having risen from the ashes after World War Two. For this, it is especially important that the EU stand beside Israel in support.”

Elmar Brok, Chairman of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs committee addressed the participants and expressed his belief that “Europe’s priority is the existence of the state of Israel with safe borders.”

The European Jewish Congress organizes annual dinner meetings in Strasbourg, bringing together high-level Israeli personalities with European lawmakers – last years’ dinner brought the Israeli Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres to discuss with European Parliament leaders.