3 min read
Speaking five years after victory in the Second World War, at the beginning of the process that began the formation of the European Union, Winston Churchill told the House of Commons that "on either side of the Atlantic it is felt that inter-dependence is part of our faith and the means of our salvation."
The European Union was conceived to render war in Europe impossible, by restraining nationalist political extremism and replacing it with institutions that would protect us from tyranny and destruction. Though it was of course NATO that kept European democracy safe from the Soviet Union, the EU has made war between Europe's major powers, which twice laid waste to the continent, inconceivable.
Political extremism is now most keenly felt as Islamist terrorism, and the Jewish community is often targeted as its victim. Britain is the leading European power in what the Prime Minister has called a"generational struggle" against terror.
The UK secured the complete proscription of Hamas, was a leading European voice in ensuring the that Hezbollah's military wing was banned across the continent and, together with France, plays an active role in fighting Daesh
Would the UK have made these moves from outside the EU ?
If we leave the EU opinion will turn against Israel
Yes. Of course Britain could do these things alone. But the question is: where can we stand up to these threats more effectively? That is clearly when the EU as a whole comes together to ban the military wing of Hezbollah or proscribe Hamas in its entirety.
As it responds to growing international terrorism, the EU is strengthening its counter-terrorism activity. Thanks to the EU Arrest Warrant, we were able to bring one of the 21/7 bombers to face justice in Britain within weeks instead of years. The Prüm Convention allows police forces across the continent to share DNA information connected with serious crime and terrorism. If we remain in the EU, we will lead this process: if we leave, it will be much harder to make our expertise and experience felt.
The EU is of course much more than a security alliance. It has intervened to strengthen the principle of freedom of religious conscience. EU animal welfare legislation specifically protects Shechita and European courts have since the 1970s intervened against discrimination on the grounds of religion. EU institutions are obliged to follow the Charter of Fundamental Rights, in which freedom of religious conscience is guaranteed.
By strengthening these institutions, it helps to protect Jewish communities across Europe, and promotes religiously tolerant norms in countries that only a few decades ago were under fascist and communist regimes that tolerated antisemitism.
Europe's Jewish communities need Britain to be an integral part of efforts to protect them from a new antisemitism in a continent where nationalism is on the rise. Figures such as Dieudonné M'bala M'bala and Marine Le Pen command a large following in France, while Austria only narrowly avoided electing a far-right President.
While right-wing populism descends into xenophobia against Jewish communities, left-wing populism takes aim at the State of Israel. At least since 1997, Britain has been one of Europe's most pro-Israel powers. Together now with Germany, the British government attempts to oppose boycotts of Israel and the increasingly visible campaign for disinvestment and sanctions. Were we to leave, the balance of opinion in Europe would shift sharply to Israel's disadvantage.
Without the strength of the UK's position, the huge benefits of cooperation between Israel and Europe could be put at risk. This association enables European and Israeli scientists to cooperate on joint research, giving leading Israeli institutions, such as the Technion, access to the highest levels of international science, and Israeli scientists and academics the opportunity to work across Europe. Israel has entered into a partnership with the European Space agency.
The "Open Skies" agreement has slashed the cost of travelling to Israel which is both good for regular visitors and provides Israeli tourism with a significant boost. Trade between Israel and the EU has been growing and now stands at almost €30 billion per year: Israels association agreement with the EU connects Israel's vibrant startup technology sector with the worlds largest single market of more than 500 million people.
From counter-terrorism and security to combating antisemitism, and from trade and investment to scientific research, Britain plays an essential role in both keeping Europe's Jewish community safe and strengthening the ties between Europe and Israel. Leaving the EU would disrupt this fruitful partnership.
At a time when extremism and populism are on the rise, I don't think we can afford to take the risk.
Lord Polak is a Conservative peer. He writes here in a personal capacity
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