On a visit to Israel, Swiss Member of Parliament Corina Eichenberger-Walther, who is also the head of a European association for fighting the anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement, emphasized during her meetings that she is working diligently to improve relations between Switzerland and Israel.
The Swiss-Israel Friendship Association, headed by Swiss Member of Parliament Corina Eichenberger-Walther, visited the Knesset on Wednesday and conducted several meetings with Israeli lawmakers, including members of the Israel-Switzerland Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Member of Knesset (MK) David Amsalem, who heads the Israel-Switzerland Parliamentary Friendship Group, noted that Israelis from across the Israeli political spectrum feel the attitudes towards Israel around the world, and especially in Europe, are unfair and unjustified, sentiments which were vindicated and exemplified through the latest resolution passed by UNESCO disregarding the Jewish connection to Jerusalem and the holy sites.
Eichenberger-Walther called the decision ”absurd” and said it ”undermines the organization`s credibility.”
Several countries have voiced opposition to the recent string of UNESCO motions denying the Jewish bond to Jerusalem, including the US, the Czech Republic, Italy and even UNESCO’s Director-General Irina Bokova.
During the group’s meeting with Deputy Speaker of the Knesset MK Yehiel Bar, the Swiss members expressed their concerns regarding the year 2017, when the Palestinians and BDS activists are expected to launch propaganda campaigns against Israel on the occasion of the Six Day War‘s 50th anniversary and on the 100th anniversary of the Balfour declaration.
”It is good to see once again that Israel has many friends around the world, some in influential positions. The challenge Israel faces is to recruit all of our supporters for a joint active initiative,” Bar said.
By: Max Gelber, United with Israel Staff