Israel and Europe are natural partners because of their democratic values and shared past, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday morning in a speech at Ben-Gurion University in Beersheba.
“Europe and Israel are bound to be friends and allies,” said von der Leyen. “Because the history of Europe is the history of the Jewish people.”
The German politician, who has headed the European Union’s executive arm since 2019, spoke after being granted an honorary doctorate from the university.
“The strongest bond we share is our belief in democracy and in democratic values,” she said, praising the legacy and vision of Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.
Von der Leyen added that she, as a young girl, had been inspired by Golda Meir, who served as Israel’s prime minister from 1969 to 1974. READ MORE
