ELNET-Israel & MFA Delegation of Portuguese Parliamentarians

In January 2025

A joint ELNET/MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) delegation of Portuguese parliamentarians visited Israel. The MPs, who arrived in Israel on the day the Israel-Hamas ceasefire entered into force, were briefed over dinner by Dr. Emmanuel Navon, CEO of ELNET-Israel, and by Mrs. Ahuva Spieler, head of the European Division at the MFA.  

On day one

The delegates met with former IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus, who explained the challenges of urban warfare in Gaza. Then they visited Kibbutz Nir Oz, where they witnessed the horrors of October 7. A survivor and family member of a hostage shared her personal tragedy.

“This is beyond unimaginable. How come men could attack such a peaceful place?”

asked one of the delegates while visiting the home of the Bibas family
Khaled Abu Toameh
Lt. Col. (ret.) Jonathan Conricus, Senior Research Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies

The MPs also visited the war room where female soldiers alerted the IDF of the attack shortly before being kidnapped by Hamas, as well as the Nova Festival site and the city of Sderot. While in Sderot, the delegates met with the police officer who shared his personal story as the officer in charge of protecting the city during Hamas’ attack on October 7. He recalled, with the help of camera footage, how terrorists attacked the city’s police station and civilians, and how bravely policemen and civilians defended the city.

 


Back in Tel Aviv

The delegates met a family of hostages, who shared his experience and pain. The next day, they had meetings and discussions with Portugal’s Ambassador to Israel, Mrs. Helena Piava, and with Raphaela Treisman, a Brazilian-Israeli survivor of the Nova Festival massacre. At the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), the delegation met with Dr. Sima Shine, Director of the Iran and Shi’ite Axis Research Program, and with Dr. Carmit Valensi, Head of the Northern Arena Program. 

In Jerusalem

The delegates met with Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, with Nina Yarlova (from the Ministry’s Legal Department), and with Hamutal Rogel (Director of the Southern Europe Department). Mrs. Haskell, who recently returned from Lisbon where she launched the Portugal-Israel Friendship Caucus, explained why Europe must help Israel establish alternatives to the discredited UNRWA.

At the Knesset, the group met with Members of Knesset (MKs), including MK Shalom Danino, MK Matti Sarfatti, and MK Moshe Tur Paz. The Portuguese MPs attended a plenary session from the Knesset gallery and were greeted by the Knesset Speaker who thanked them for their visit.

They then went to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, where they heard the story of Aristides de Sousa Mendes, a Portuguese diplomat who saved hundred of Jews during the Holocaust by defying his government. In the Old City, the MPs visited the Holy Sepulchre and the Wailing Wall.

 

The visit ended with a dinner addressed by prominent Arab-Israeli journalist Abu Toameh, who shared his personal story and his unique perspective on the Arab-Israeli conflict.  “The reality is far more nuanced than the one European media presents to you” he said. 

“I am a proud Arab-Israeli speaking to you from the bottom of my heart: no country in Europe would have tolerated half what Israel has endured for years”.

This visit was a huge success, which transformed the perception of its participants. ELNET and the MFA shall nurture the ties with those Portuguese MPs to strengthen Portugal’s support for Israel.

"I think that Israel, the State of Israel is fortunate to have ELNET doing this very important work"