Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Isaac HERZOG, President of Israel give a joint press point after their meeting, ahead of the Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony in the European Parliament.

press point

EU - Israel (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

Holocaust remembrance (T)

president's agenda

HERZOG, Isaac

Joint press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Isaac HERZOG, President of Israel

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Good Morning. Let me start by warmly welcoming the president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, to the European Parliament. The annual Holocaust Remembrance Day is always a sombre moment for all the members of our parliament, and this year it is particularly significant as we also mark the 75th anniversary of the declaration of the establishment of the State of Israel. If we would have had to have one minute of silence for all the victims of the Holocaust, we would be silent for 11 years. And this fact embodies our timeless promise of never again. A promise that this parliament will uphold.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Let me assure you, president that the European Parliament gives the greatest importance to fighting anti-Semitism and to Holocaust remembrance. All Jews and Jewish communities should feel safe in Europe. We condemn anti-Semitism and we fight it with all possible means, and we attach special relevance to fighting disinformation and hate speech and educating young generations, as I said in the Knesset when I visited last spring, to be anti-Semitic is to be anti European.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, We will never forget and we will never be silent when it comes to standing up for freedom, peace and equality. Not when it comes to fighting hate and discrimination, not when it comes to Russia's aggression in Ukraine, nor when it comes to speaking up and sanctioning the regime in Iran. Who executes young people standing up for women, life and freedom. The European Union and Israel are tied by a close friendship based on the shared history and common values democracy, open society, rule of law. Values which can never be taken for granted.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, A discussion we've just had with the President also on the ongoing constitutional developments in Israel. It is on this path that we must continue and use the positive momentum and the EU Israel relations created by the resumption of the Association Council and the high level visits in 2022. We also look forward to hosting our next interparliamentary meeting here in Brussels. Thank you, President.

SOUNDBITE (English), Isaac HERZOG, President of Israel, Thank President you very much Metsola. Thank you for your friendship and I thank you for inviting me to be here today and for the immense honour and privilege of addressing the Parliament in this very momentous day. May I also thank you for your visit to Israel a few months ago, which was a great moment for us.

SOUNDBITE (English), Isaac HERZOG, President of Israel, So here, now, today on the very soil where the gravest crimes between men and man and women and woman transpired. I stand on behalf of the Jewish state on this day of Holocaust remembrance. Within the walls of the European Parliament, a striking symbol of the new Europe. I repeat here now on the very soil where the gravest crimes, crimes between human beings transpire. I stand on behalf of the Jewish State on this day of Holocaust remembrance and within the walls of the European Parliament, a striking symbol of the new Europe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Isaac HERZOG, President of Israel, The relationship between the state of Israel and Europe does not rest only on remembering the horrors of the past or acknowledging the common threats of the present. It rests also, as you mentioned, on shared values and goals that inform our present and shape our future. We are bound by the shared values of democracy, human rights, liberties and social justice, and by our shared commitment to innovation, science, climate action and so much more.

SOUNDBITE (English), Isaac HERZOG, President of Israel, In the face of attempts to undermine our common values and to threaten global stability. We stand firm and united, and here I say we will not stay silent in the face of that most persistent doctrine of hate, anti-Semitism. And thank you for your words on this. Madam President, whether in the streets of Europe, online or in hateful political discourse disseminated by dictatorial regimes. When Iran insists on spreading hatred, arms and terror throughout the globe, including in Ukraine, and attempting to undermine the world order, and when it threatens the existence of one and only Jewish State on Earth, Israel, we cannot let that go unanswered either.

SOUNDBITE (English), Isaac HERZOG, President of Israel, I look forward to working together to preserve the memory of the past. Out of ethical duty to the victims, but also out of allegiance to our present and to the future we all share. May we come together with intention and purpose and harness the best of our goodwill and creativity to build a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future for all nations. Thank you very much.

Q&A Question from the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.

Q&A Question regarding the Council accepting the Parliament motion about the Revolutionary Guards.