The European Leadership Network’s third annual survey of members of the European Parliament gauges elected leaders’ perspectives about Israel. A total of 317 parliamentarians from 29 countries responded to the survey.
With Europe and the Middle East experiencing historical turning points as two major conflicts wage on—namely, Russia’s war with Ukraine and Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip following the terror group’s attacks on Oct. 7—83% of European parliamentarians believe that Israel holds a special relationship with their countries.
The changes are not only geopolitical. Israel’s war has resulted in record-high antisemitism as well as fueled anti-Israel protests in cities and universities across Western Europe and the United States.
Remarkably, 73% of the participating parliamentarians believe bilateral diplomatic relations between their countries and Israel are good, which is 11% higher than last year. What’s more, 72% prefer their countries to have closer cooperation with Israel.
David F. Siegel, president ELNET-US, credits the increase in the MPs’ sentiments towards Israel to intersecting trends: ELNET’s work to educate policymakers throughout Europe and Israel’s war against Hamas and its patron, Iran.
“We have been working with European political leaders for over a decade with the belief that one day Israel would need more strategic partnerships than just the U.S.,” says Siegel. “The horrors of Oct. 7 proved us correct. European nations have not only stood by Israel like never before, but they have determined that it is in their national interests to broaden and deepen their relationships with Israel.”
On almost every issue of importance to Israel, European members of parliament align. In fact, the survey showed a 53% increase in the number of MPs who believe the Abraham Accords should be used to help foster peace, and a whopping 90% of surveyed ministers of parliament believing UNRWA must be reformed—with 50% of this group believing UNRWA should be dismantled.
“ELNET’s survey provides an unprecedented inside look at the changes taking place across Europe,” says Siegel. “Most of Europe’s 44 nations are stepping up to align with Israel in areas of critical importance like technology, defense, science, education and domestic homeland security; all of this shows how much Europe needs Israel as much as Israel needs Europe.”
To schedule an interview with ELNET-US president David F. Siegel, contact Joe E. Carmean, 410-845-0715 (joe@orwellgrey.com).
