By Martin Banks - 11th October 2011
I believe I speak for the majority of this parliament in saying that
Hans-Gert Pöttering
The speaker of the Israeli parliament has made a robust defence of his country's policy towards Palestine.
Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Reuven Rivlin told MEPs, "I want to assure you that Israel respects the rule of law absolutely. It is a total democracy."
Rivlin, speaker of the Knesset, was addressing the foreign affairs committee on EU relations with Israel.
His visit, marked by tight security, comes amid mounting concern about the establishment of settlements in Jerusalem and elsewhere.
The settlements are illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.
Their presence is a major obstacle to peace talks as the Palestinians insist Israel freeze settlement building before renewing negotiations.
However, Rivlin conceded that "concerns" had been raised about the settlements and other aspects of Israeli policy towards the Palestinians.
He said, "We are aware that complaints are made and I can tell you that we are ready to listen to these complaints.
"There are differences of opinion but, unfortunately, the stories you may be being told do not reflect the situation we are facing in Israel today."
During a lively debate, Hans-Gert Pöttering, a former parliament president, made a passionate appeal to Rivlin to halt the creation of settlements, or "colonies" as he called them.
The German EPP member said, "We would all agree that Israel's security is a major concern to all of us but this can only be assured if Israel is prepared to live next to a Palestinian state as well.
"It is in the fundamental interests of Israel to strive for a two-state solution."
Pöttering added, "Unfortunately, the legitimacy of Israel's policy is suffering and being called into question because of the creation of these colonies, or settlements, in places like Jerusalem.
"This makes it very difficult to support Israel at present and that is why I am appealing to you to stop the further expansion of settlements."
He was roundly applauded when he added, "I believe I speak for the majority of this parliament in saying that."
Further comment came from UK ECR member Charles Tannock, who applauded Israel for being a "vibrant democracy" which shared similar values to the EU.
He said that while he also supported a "two-state" solution, he added, "Until the Palestinians accept a Jewish state this will be very difficult to achieve."
