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How can Europe Help Prevent the Next Middle East War?

When Iran’s proxy Islamic Jihad fired hundreds of rockets on Israel, Jerusalem’s measured response helped prevent the conflict spin out of control. To discuss how EU diplomacy can help prevent a future Middle East war with mass civilian casualties, host Michael Sieveking is joined by MEP Lukas Mandl, who had just returned from a visit to the region, and Brigadier General (Res.) Assaf Orion, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Israel.

Launch of the Transatlantic Friends of Israel

The AJC Transatlantic Institute launched the inter-parliamentary Transatlantic Friends of Israel (TFI) group in the EU Parliament. TFI Chair Lukas Mandl, Austrian MEP (EPP), co-hosted the kick-off event with German MEP Dietmar Köster (S&D) and TFI Vice Chair MEP Frédérique Ries (Renew Europe) from Belgium. The standing-room only audience of some 60 people included 25 MEPs from 13 countries. TFI is the first-ever friendship caucus specifically committed to bolstering the trilateral partnership between the U.S., Israel, and Europe.

BDS Is Antisemitic

In his latest article in New Europe, AJC Transatlantic Institute Director Daniel Schwammenthal unmasks the patently antisemitic Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The group seeks nothing less than the de-facto dismemberment of a UN Member State: “Irrespective of whether that state in question is Jewish or say, Irish, to call for its end cannot possibly be considered a “legitimate political position.”

Members of the European Parliament Visit Israel with AJC, Call for Association Council and EU Ban of Hezbollah

Hezbollah is a Terrorist Organisation and a Threat to Europe

On 18 July we marked the seventh anniversary of the Hezbollah suicide bombing in Burgas, Bulgaria that killed six people. If Europe is serious about combating antisemitism, the global terror group Hezbollah must be stopped in its tracks, argues Michael Sieveking, Deputy Director of the AJC Transatlantic Institute, in New Europe.

Strengthening EU-Israel Relations and Jewish Life in Europe

The AJC Transatlantic Institute hosted Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz for a historic address on strengthening EU-Israel relations and Jewish life in Europe. The audience of nearly 300 included dozens of ambassadors from Europe, the U.S., and Israel, lawmakers from the European, Austrian and Belgian parliaments, Jewish and other faith leaders from across Europe, EU officials, diplomats, media and civil society representatives.

How can Europe Help Prevent the Next Middle East War?
Launch of the Transatlantic Friends of Israel
BDS Is Antisemitic
Members of the European Parliament Visit Israel with AJC, Call for Association Council and EU Ban of Hezbollah
Hezbollah is a Terrorist Organisation and a Threat to Europe
Strengthening EU-Israel Relations and Jewish Life in Europe

About

The AJC Transatlantic Institute (TAI) is the Brussels-based EU Office of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), a non-partisan organization founded in 1906. AJC's mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. 

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TFI

The Transatlantic Friends of Israel (TFI) is a cross-party, inter-parliamentary group committed to strengthening the trilateral partnership between the United States, Israel, and Europe. We are united in the conviction that Israel, the Middle East’s only liberal democracy, ought to be understood as an integral part of this vital security, political, and economic architecture.

In Their Words

“The AJC’s Transatlantic Institute was founded during (one of those) bad moments... And we must truly be thankful to the American Jewish Committee... for having invested in our friendship right when we needed it the most.”

Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission
06/06/2016

"I would like to express my interest and support for your initiative and work. In times of global tensions, it is indeed crucial to encourage and to share connections between historical partners. What feeds our special link is also common values regarding the respect for human rights, including the freedom of belief and the protection of minorities."

José Manuel Barroso, Former President of the European Commission
23/12/2013

"Congratulations to Mr. Tanner as first Chairman of the AJC Transatlantic Institute. This award [the Ordre de la Couronne] is a small token of our deepest appreciation and admiration for both of you for your personal commitment to the strengthening of the cooperation between the United States and Europe."

Didier Reynders, Foreign Minister of Belgium
19/02/2014

"Among all Jewish organisations, I have found that yours is the most profound...And your organisation was the first one to focus on the globality of our life. I don't now of any other organisation that pays so much attention to what's happening outside of the United States, with respect to and beyond Jewish life, from India to Germany to France and in many other places. You have our real respect and appreciation."

Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister
03/05/2001

"During the 1960 election, when my father’s Catholicism was a great issue in the campaign, the AJC was one of the first to come forward to support the right of his candidacy, and it made a great deal of difference in changing sentiments."

John F. Kennedy, Jr
30/04/1962

“It is no coincidence that I am giving my first speech in the United States as Federal President before the American Jewish Committee. For over fifty years AJC has been among the avant—garde when it comes to American—German relations.”

Johannes Rau, President of Germany
30/05/2000

"Let me acknowledge those who have substantially contributed to the creation of an order of security and peace in Europe, such as the American Jewish Committee."

Václav Havel, President of the Czech Republic
16/09/1998

"Your organisation as early as 1911 - when few men and women dared to speak out - launched a campaign in New York State to end the advertisement of discrimination in public accommodations, in recreational resorts and amusement parks. This campaign resulted in the passage in 1913 of a state law which has served as model for many other states, and which has thus ade possible the extension of dignities for Negroes, Porto Ricans and other minorities."

Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
20/05/1965

It is an honor to send greetings to the Transatlantic Friends of Israel, a new cross-party parliamentary friendship group dedicated to fostering strong transatlantic ties with Israel. Key foreign policy issues - including stalwart support for our allies in Europe and in Israel - traditionally enjoy bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. It is my hope that the Transatlantic Friends of Israel can work towards achieving the same unwavering support in Europe for the Jewish state.

Marco Rubio (R-FL), Member of the U.S. Senate
10/07/2019

As a long-time believer in the deepening of transatlantic ties and a staunch supporter of Israel, I was delighted to learn about AJC’s new Transatlantic Friends of Israel inter-parliamentary friendship group. With a clear set of common interests and values, this trilateral project could not have come soon enough. As this group continues to grow and expand, I look forward to working together to pursue our agenda of partnership and friendship.

Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey (D-NY-17), Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
10/07/2019