The Euro Brief is a product of the Europe Research Program of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) Tel Aviv

SHOMER HA'HOMOT • EU FOREIGN AFFAIRS • EUROPE •
JEWISH COMMUNITY, HOLOCAUST MEMORY AND ANTI-SEMITISM •  PODCASTS • INSS PAPERS • UPCOMING EU EVENTS

April 29, 2021 – May 13, 2021

– EU FOREIGN AFFAIRS –

Operation “Shomer Ha’Homot” / “Guardian of the Walls”
Operation “Shomer Ha’Homot” (“Guardian of the Walls”) started on May 10, after the Hamas organization fulfilled its ultimatum to launch rockets on Israel amid the tensions in Jerusalem. As of May 13 evening, more than 1,100 missiles were launch from the Gaza strip to Israel, leading to the death of 6 people, with more than 100 injured. In response, Tzahal (IDF) attacked hundreds of targets in Gaza with more than 50 people killed, including Bassam Eisa, Hamas colonel and the commander of the organization in Gaza city. 

Riots between Arabs and Jews started in Israel’s mixed cities, particularly in Lod and Akko (Acre), broke out on May 11 evening. Several locations were set on fire, including synagogues in Lod and restaurants in Akko. In response, Israel police announced a lockdown and an emergency situation in Lod. With more than 270 people arrested, riots on this scale have not been seen in Israel since October 2000, at the beginning of the second Intifada.

According to the press release issued on May 10 by the EU external action service [EEAS], the firing of rockets by Hamas from Gaza against civilian populations in Israel is "totally unacceptable and feeds escalatory dynamics". Moreover, it stated that “the status quo of the holy sites must be fully respected”, called for “all leaders” to “act against extremists, and for “all sides” to “engage in de-escalatory efforts.”

On May 8, prior to the developments mentioned above and in light of the tensions in Jerusalem, the European Union external action service issued a press release, expressing concern about the violence and called on leaders from all sides to calm the situation, emphasizing the illegality of evacuating Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. In addition, France, Britain, Spain, Germany, and Italy called on Israel to halt the construction of settlements in the West Bank in a joint statement. 

On May 5, the European Union external action service published a press release criticizing  Israel's intention to build 540 housing units in East Jerusalem. According to the press release, the construction of the housing units and the evictions and demolitions in East Jerusalem endangers the possibility of a two-state solution. 

On April 30, EU’s High Representative Josep Borrell issued a statement expressing disappointment with the postponement of the Palestinian elections. In addition, Borrell called on Israel to allow similar elections in the future throughout Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.

Israel-EU

Reactions throughout Europe to the escalation in Israel
German Minister  of Foreign Affairs, Heiko Maas. said in an interview that “Hamas deliberately and knowingly brought about the latest escalation by firing over 1,000 rockets indiscriminately at Israeli cities, fully aware of the consequences.” He further stated that “those who act so ruthlessly are also responsible for the humanitarian consequences that hundreds of thousands of people on both sides are now suffering. Israel defends itself because it has to.” Many EU countries, such as France, Poland, and Italy, commented on the ongoing situation in Israel.

Official EU statements on other recent events in Israel
On April 30, the European Union external action service [EEAS] published a statement on the tragedy on Mount Meron in which 45 people were killed. The statement expressed condolences to the victims and the people of Israel.

EU- Transatlantic relations
For the first time, the EU will open the military mobility project in the continent for foreign countries. Allies that are NATO members such as the United States, Canada, and Norway will enter the project. This decision comes after recent tensions on the Russian-Ukrainian border.

EU- China
Difficulties arose in the EU-China investment deal in light of tensions between the two. According to the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Valdis Dombrovskis, political efforts to approve the agreement in the EU institutions have been suspended.

France- Egypt
On May 4, France announced the sale of 30 Dassault warplanes to Egypt. France will supply the planes,  as well as military electronics,  starting in 2024. The new agreement between the countries is estimated at 4 billion Euros.

The United Kingdom
On May 6th, 2021, the Scottish Parliament elections were held. The pro-European Scottish National Party (SNP) won with only one seat missing from an outright majority (64/129 seats). Conservatives followed with 33, Labour with 22, and the Greens with eight seats, the latter possibly becoming the new decisive weight in parliament. The tight outcome could lead to a second independence referendum and more tensions with England’s prime minister Boris Johnson who repeatedly criticized Scotland’s national demands. Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader, sees “no democratic justification” for England to deny the Scottish people a second vote with such clear pro-independence majority results.

On April 28th, 2021, Northern Ireland’s First Minister and Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster announced to resign from both political positions after a no-confidence motion against her. Foster faced rising criticism because of her handling of the Northern Ireland protocol as part of the post-Brexit deal. The rejection came only days before an internal party deadline of required reconfirmation for an additional year. It is the first open leadership contest in the party since its founding. It risks the collapse of the five-party administration of the state, securing fragile stability in the country since 1998.

– EUROPE –

Covid-19
On 6 May, the European Commission announced a proposal for an EU strategy on Covid-19 vaccines, their development, and availability. In addition, as part of the effort to revive travel in the EU, Israel has been added to the list of countries from which tourists can visit the EU, a decision that does not bind the member states. On May 8, the European Commission approved a contract for the supply of 1.8 billion vaccine doses of the Pfizer or BioNTech vaccine. Surveys conducted in EU countries show that 49% are dissatisfied with the bloc's measures taken against the Covid-19 pandemic, while 43% are satisfied.

Porto Summit
On May 7, a social summit of EU leaders and heads of states was held in Porto. At the meeting, non-binding targets were set in the Commission’s European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan. The targets include specific goals: increasing employment, training course participation, and reducing poverty by 2030. In addition, the United States' proposal to share the technology of Covid-19 vaccines was discussed.

Foreign Affairs Council
On May 10, The EU’s Foreign Affairs Council met to discuss the Israel-Palestine confrontation, the Western Balkans situation and how the EU can enhance the cooperation in the area, and the Transatlantic relations, among other topics. 

The Netherlands
Prime Minister Mark Rutte loses the support of Dutch citizens. A new survey shows Rutte’s support rate slightly declining to 60 percent, as the public questions why the PM didn’t resign yet. In the aftermath of a cabinet formation scandal at the beginning of April 2021, the opposition parties formed a new coalition.

France
In an unprecedented move, eighteen former military generals publicly warned of the risk of a “civil war” in France. Published in a right-wing magazine, the open letter included racist, anti-immigration statements, accusing the government of “laxist” policies against “suburban hordes” and thereby risking “traditional French values.” Only after Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Rassemblement National (RN), called for patriots to “rise up” to save the country, a more significant outcry developed. All ex-generals will face sanctions before a military council.

Germany
On April 29, 2021, the German Constitutional Court ruled that the current climate protection act is partially unconstitutional, and severe changes have to be made. A complaint by climate activists , arguing that the protection of future generations needs to be taken into account was accepted. A more precise explanation of reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions after 2031 needs to be drawn up by the end of next year. For the first time, the court argued on the basis of a fundamental right to a humane future. German parliamentarians have already started laying out a new bill to be ratified by the entire federal government and aiming for carbon neutrality already by 2045.

On May 4, 2021, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer introduced the new annual federal report on politically motivated crimes in 2020. With a total rise of 8.5 percent in comparison to 2020, a new record high was reached. Politically motivated violence rose as well, now counting 18.8 percent more than the year before, with 3.365 attacks in total. Right-wing supporters have committed every other politically motivated crime.

A right-wing (death) threat series against mainly female politicians, lawyers, journalists, and artists seems to have ended. After nearly three years, 53-year old Alexander M. has been arrested, alleged to be the face behind the pseudonym “NSU 2.0” – referring to a former right-wing terrorist group called the “National Socialist Underground.” How he got access even to classified personal information of the victims is still unclear. So far, suspected entanglements with police officers of the state of Hessen have not been confirmed.

Poland 
On May 3, Poland celebrated the 230th anniversary of the May 3rd Constitution and the Day of the Polish Armed Forces. Numerous events took place not only in Poland but also in Lithuania and Ukraine. The document was the first written constitution in Europe and second in the world. A joint session of parliament featuring Polish and Lithuanian senators and members of parliament was held in Warsaw to mark the occasion. 

On Thursday, May 6, the EU's highest court released an opinion calling Poland’s judiciary reforms “contrary to EU law.” The country’s ruling Law and Justice party began to implement changes in its judiciary system, claiming reforms were needed to improve an inefficient system and corrupt judges. However, the EU says the reforms weaken Poland’s independence. 

– JEWISH COMMUNITY, HOLOCAUST MEMORY, AND ANTI-SEMITISM –

The Netherlands
On Dutch Liberation Day, German chancellor Angela Merkel was asked to hold a virtual speech where she recalled the atrocities committed by the Nazis and stated the importance of commemoration: “This is Germany's eternal responsibility.” During the occupation of the Netherlands, the Jewish population lost two-third of its people in concentration camps, suffering the most significant number of losses in Western Europe.

Belgium
The Coordination Committee of Belgian Jewish Organisations (CCOJB) criticized Brussels Parliament for not including antisemitism in the Belgian region’s new Anti-racism Commission title. Included in the steering committee only late in the process, the CCOJB’s main goal was to implement the term “antisemitism” and make methodological adjustments not to confuse it with other phenomena such as racism. According to the CCOJB, the rejection of this attempt by the regional parliament has to be understood as an “explicit refusal” to “not name antisemitism in Belgium.”

Poland
Following three former advisors from the Polish government’s advisory council for the Auschwitz concentration camp- another expert resigned the council at the end of April 2021. Although Prof. Edward Kosakowski did not explain his decision, observers interpret his step as a protest against the newly appointed former Prime Minister Beata Szydlo. Her position in the council is seen as part of the government’s aim to shape Poland’s role in the Second World War against historical research, the latter claiming Polish involvement in the extermination of Jewish people.

– INSS VIDEOS AND PAPERS –

–PODCASTS –

– UPCOMING EU EVENTS –

For an overview of the European Council main topics (May 10-May 30, 2021), click HERE

For the European Council full calendar, click HERE