Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group: The year 2023 showed that Israel has to be constantly on guard to protect its existence
Yesterday, on 6 October, the Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) met with the leaders of the Jewish Community of Estonia and representatives of the think tank Ariel to commemorate the tragic events that took place in Israel two years ago. On 7 October 2023, the Iran-supported Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas committed a brutal invasion and mass murder against the State of Israel and its people, which was followed by an attack with thousands of rockets from three directions simultaneously. The meeting was opened with words of gratitude to Estonia by Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Community Shmuel Kot, who thanked the Estonian people and politicians for their consistent support for the State of Israel.
Kross: The free world should be grateful to Israel, not teach it to make war
According to Chairman of the Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group Eerik-Niiles Kross, relations between Estonia and Israel have been good in recent years, but there is concern about the spread of ignorant anti-Semitism in society, which is nevertheless more modest in Estonia than in the old Europe.
“The innocent people murdered two years ago left behind thousands of mourners. Some of those who were kidnapped have been killed by today or have died, and it is believed that Hamas holds around 20 Israeli hostages who are still alive. We recall that among the victims of Hamas there was also one Estonian citizen.
The Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu has made several statements in support of Israel, and we wish Israel strength in protecting its people now and in the future. We hope that the war started by Hamas will end with a more lasting peace in the Middle East,” Kross said.
“Israel has managed to significantly weaken Hezbollah, restrain Iran’s nuclear ambitions, bring about the retreat of Syrian dictator Al-Assad’s reign of terror, and has come very close to defeating Hamas.
The free world should be grateful to Israel for this, and not teach it how to make war,” he added.
Kross also welcomed the news that Israel would open its embassy in Estonia in November this year.
“Estonia and Israel – high-tech democracies with barbaric neighbours – are natural partners for cooperation,” he emphasized.
Solman: 7 October showed that Israel must constantly protect its people
Member of the Riigikogu Riina Solman, who was in Israel, near the Lebanese border a year ago and had to take shelter from Hezbollah rocket fire, recalled that the attack on 7 October had been a shock to the whole world.
“7 October 2023 showed Israel that the Jewish State must be constantly on guard to protect its people. This particular attack exceeded all limits of humanity after the Holocaust. I would like to ask the critics: how can a country live in peace with a neighbour who behaves barbarously?” Solman said.
She pointed out that the military infrastructure and tunnel network created by Hamas in Gaza was extensive – nearly 500 kilometres according to estimations – and built under hospitals, schools, and kindergartens, partly with the money of European taxpayers.
“These structures had to be destroyed to protect civilians, but this has mostly been followed by accusations. How should a country act to protect its people? Israel’s aim has been to disarm terrorists, to remove them from power, and to bring back the hostages – this remains the biggest unresolved issue to this day,” Solman said.
“Conditions are imposed on the Jewish State and it is reproached for protecting its people, but are any conditions imposed on terrorists? I do not understand why there are still people in Estonia who justify Hamas, when it is a criminal terrorist organization,” she added.
Security and future plans of the Jewish Community were discussed
The challenges facing the Jewish Community of Estonia, security issues, and the Community’s important contribution to Estonian society were also spoken about at the meeting.
Member of the Parliamentary Friendship Group Riina Sikkut underlined that it was the constitutional duty of the Estonian state to ensure that all ethnic groups feel safe in their homeland. The representatives of the Jewish Community thanked the Estonian state for its attention and care.
Representatives of the think tank Ariel talked about their activities and the plans of the Estonian Jewish Student Association, which is currently being established, were also discussed. Eduard Klas gave an overview of the activities of the Jewish Community.
The Parliamentary Friendship Group commemorates all the victims
The Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu expressed its condolences to the close ones of all Palestinian and Israeli civilians and soldiers who have lost their lives in the war. The Parliamentary Friendship Group believes that every war is regrettable and hopes that the guns will fall silent in all war zones as soon as possible.
The Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu is composed of Chairman Eerik-Niiles Kross and members Vadim Belobrovtsev, Meelis Kiili, Lauri Laats, Riina Sikkut, Riina Solman, Aivar Sõerd, Peeter Tali, Vilja Toomast and Kristo Enn Vaga.
For more information, please contact:
Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu
Eerik-Niiles Kross, Chairman
[email protected]
