David Cronin
The Electronic Intifada / July 30, 2024
A long-standing member of the European Parliament has been recruited by a secretive pro-Israel group.
Antonio López-Istúriz, the lawmaker in question, agreed to join what has been described as an “exclusive advisory body” for the Israel Economic Forum (IEF).
The IEF describes itself as “an invitation-only group” bringing together “deeply committed pro-Israel CEOs, business executives, and world leaders who leverage their success and influence to ensure the future of the Jewish people and the state of Israel.”
Such framing is problematic as it implies that Israel is synonymous with Jews around the world, large numbers of whom object to that state’s crimes and its racist ideology Zionism.
López-Istúriz does not appear bothered by the framing, though.
A document – see below – obtained under freedom of information rules indicates that he held discussions with Avi Jorisch, a co-founder of the IEF, about other potential recruits for the forum.
López-Istúriz pointed the IEF to Margaritis Schinas, Greece’s representative at the European Commission (the European Union’s executive). Schinas – whose “promoting our European way of life” portfolio incorporates the fight against anti-Semitism – had a “very busy agenda,” according to his team.
It was, therefore, “not possible to positively reply” when Jorisch requested that Schinas also join the IEF’s “World Leaders Cabinet” – the “exclusive advisory body” now featuring López-Istúriz.
First elected to the European Parliament in 2004, López-Istúriz may not be respecting the transparency requirements of that institution. His recruitment by the IEF is not mentioned in his latest declaration of interests.
Spouting propaganda
Despite keeping that recruitment under wraps, López-Istúriz is willing to publicly spout Israel’s propaganda.
In January, he sought credit for inserting tough language into a European Parliament resolution on Gaza.
A clause in that resolution proposed by López-Istúriz argued that a ceasefire should be conditional on the dismantling of Hamas.
The resolution was officially endorsed by a majority in the European Parliament just eight days before the International Court of Justice issued an interim ruling that South Africa’s case against Israel under the Genocide Convention was plausible.
The wording advocated by López-Istúriz gave Israel an excuse to continue committing genocide.
He had previously said, “There can be no emotions about terrorism. It has to be eradicated.”
That message – delivered in the first few days of the current genocide – was clear. López-Istúriz was arguing that nobody should feel compassionate toward Palestinian women and children as they were being slaughtered as part of a war against terror.
Over the past few years, López-Istúriz has chaired the European Parliament’s committee (“delegation” in official parlance) for relations with Israel.
His backing for that state has been “unwavering,” the Israeli embassy in Brussels has affirmed. As part of that unwavering devotion, he has talked about “rumors” that EU aid to Palestinians is not benefiting people in need.
The pro-Israel lobby has been pushing unsubstantiated rumors for at least two decades. The clear goal has been to harm Palestinians by ending or severely reducing funding for essential services, including healthcare and education.
López-Istúriz has a new role within the European Parliament. He will be one of the leading spokespeople on human rights for its center-right political grouping.
David Cronin is an associate editor of The Electronic Intifada; his books include Balfour’s Shadow: A Century of British Support for Zionism and Israel and Europe’s Alliance with Israel: Aiding the Occupation
