“A diplomatic iron dome. » This is how Léo Van Doesburg, executive director for Europe of the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF), defined the mission of his organization. The IAF has just registered its 54th member, with the creation of the Portuguese parliamentary group of Israel’s allies, founded on November 18.
“The Jewish people will no longer tolerate being the scapegoat of humanity, targeted as a lightning rod for social frustration. Israel is the guarantor that no Jew will ever be defenseless or homeless,” Madelena Barata, director of the new group, told Ynet. “This is why it is crucial to build networks that support and protect Israel. It is particularly significant that the IAF is now active in Portugal, strengthening this global effort. »
Present in Lisbon on Monday for the launch of the group, Sharren Haskel (Tikva Hadasha), co-chair of the Knesset Christian Allies Group and deputy foreign minister and whose party recently joined Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, underlined the importance of “people-to-people diplomacy as an essential tool for strengthening international support for Israel.” »
Receive our daily edition for free by email so you don’t miss the best news. Free registration!
“By participating in the launch of the Israel Allies Group in Lisbon, we are sending a powerful message of solidarity between our nations,” Haskel said. “At a time when support for Israel is more vital than ever, this initiative elevates the voices of parliamentarians who support Israel. I look forward to thanking the members of the caucus for their commitment to strengthening our bilateral relations, consolidating our shared values and contributing to Israel’s security. »
Tikva MK Hadasha Sharren Haskel, at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 28, 2023. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
The group will be led by two members of major Portuguese parties: Liana Reis of the Social Democratic Party and Pedro Frazão of the Chega Party. An initiative welcomed by the Portuguese Jewish community. The Portuguese Jewish News site called this accession of the two parties “a real important step. »
Miriam Assor, a renowned Portuguese journalist, welcomed this initiative in a country where Israel is often isolated and Jewish life continues to face many challenges.
Pedro Frazão for his part affirmed: “The existence of Israel is a deliberate choice, which embodies the strength and resilience of the Jewish people and their right to self-defense. This is not just symbolic: it is a firm promise to protect the right of every Jew to live in peace and security. »
Created in 2004 by Christian allies in the Knesset, the IAF expanded in 2006 with the creation of the bipartisan group of Israel’s allies in the US Congress. Founded on the mainly Christian faith of its supporters, the IAF is based on a network of parliamentarians spread across six continents.
You are one of our loyal readers
We are glad you read X articles from Times of Israël last month.
This is why we created the Times of Israeleleven years ago (nine years for the French version): offering informed readers like you unique information on Israel and the Jewish world.
Today we have a favor to ask you. Unlike other media outlets, our website is accessible to everyone. But the journalism work we do comes at a price, so we ask readers who care about our work to support us by joining the ToI community.
With the amount of your choice, you can help us provide quality journalism while benefiting from reading the Times of Israël without advertisements.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, editor-in-chief and founder of The Times of Israel
Join the Times of Israel community Join the Times of Israel community Already a member? Log in to no longer see this message
