World Summit on Counter-Terrorism: Terrorism’s Global Impact

The Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, 7th - 10th September, 2009

Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an extraordinary pleasure and privilege to speak to you today about the global impact of terrorism. The International Institute for Counter-Terrorism has been at the forefront of the struggle against terrorism and I am honored to speak among the world's greatest experts and gain such invaluable insight into this timely matter.

As a Member of the European Parliament - the only multinational parliamentary assembly in the world elected by universal suffrage and, since June 1979, the European Union's only directly elected institution - I have been chosen to protect the interest of all citizens of the European Union. I believe that first and foremost, my duty is to ensure their security and protect the principle on which the EU was founded: freedom. But today our freedom is under attack because terrorism remains the single greatest threat to our way of life. We are faced with an enemy that embodies everything that the united Europe has denounced: where we see liberty and individual freedom, the terrorists of militant Islam see a threat to their misinterpreted religious dogmas; while we seek to protect the lives of the innocent, they do not hesitate to brutally take them away; while we open our borders and free ourselves of discrimination and intolerance, they voluntarily enslave themselves within the bounds of hatred. The attacks in Madrid in 2004 and London in 2005 and the bomb plots uncovered in the United Kingdom in 2006 and Germany in 2007, prove that Europe is in constant danger. Although the perils of terrorism should not be underestimated, Europe will never succumb to fear or intimidation because, luckily, it can rely on its closest ally: Israel.

This brave nation remains the only democratic state in the Middle East. It respects the rights of minorities; all forces within the political spectrum are represented in its national assembly. For over half a century, the state of Israel has struggled to defend our civilization based on Judeo-Christian values. And because Western civilization has been the source of human progress - and the foundation of the principles we cherish - we are forever in your debt. But our gratitude cannot be limited to words. Today, the battle line in the war to uphold Western values is in Israel. This is why we owe it our full support.

Many of the distinguished security experts at this conference have spoken about the practical measures of counter-terrorism. I believe that these measures have to be met with an adequate level of unwavering political support. Our fight must be accompanied with determined political will and action. As President of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, I am proud to lead a Group that is dedicated to Israel and our mutual cause. We are aware that the threat of terrorism in the European Union has both an external and internal aspect - both have to be addressed. Internally, the EU is threatened both by those who seek to use indiscriminate violence to achieve political means and by those whose make excuses for their actions. Even within the European Parliament we hear the voices of those who pretend to condemn these acts of murder, but who supply the butchers with justifications for their barbaric crimes. There are those in Europe who fall victim to moral relativism and rationalize the killing of innocent lives with the suffering that others may have experienced. Such excuses are unacceptable. Although the European Union has adopted a policy that promotes democracy, dialogue and good governance to tackle causes of radicalization, we must firmly underline that the roots of Islamic terrorism are not in the West. Nor are the roots of terrorism in Israel. Its roots are grounded within those minds who disguise murder as martyrdom. The roots of terrorism are evil and totalitarian ideologies that have no boundaries. In Europe, as in other parts of the world, terrorism is no longer a threat from abroad. It is increasingly "home-grown". It uses our devotion to freedom, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights to hide among us. Our analysis suggests that parts of the European Union are seen by terrorist groups as safe bases from which to plan and execute operations. With the help of Israel, the EU should adapt to this growing menace. Europe's policy on counter-terrorism needs to be reexamined.

In 2005, the Council of the European Union had outlined "The European Union Counter-Terrorism Strategy." Its purpose was to contribute to global security and build a safer world. To combat terrorism, the EU had adopted the following objectives: increase cooperation with third countries (especially in North Africa, the Middle East and South-East Asia) and provide them with assistance; respect human rights; prevent new recruits to terrorism; better protect potential targets; investigate and pursue members of existing networks; improve capability to respond to and manage the consequences of terrorist attacks. The EU proposed four pillars to fight terrorism. These include: "prevent", "protect", "pursue" and "respond". These policies have been effective in some areas. Working together in the EU has allowed Member States to improve the collection and analysis of information and intelligence, make collective policy responses to the terrorist threat, and making better use of the capability of EU bodies including Europol and Eurojust. Unfortunately, experts have pointed out that overall the EU has not been able to pursue a coherent counter-terrorism policy. This policy is described as "fragmented" due - in part - to the EU's own intra-institutional structure. But it is also hindered by the EU's perception of the terrorist threat. As I had pointed out, Europe's internal threat is often unconnected with global terrorist networks. This brings us back to the roots of terrorism. Too often, we hear that social conditions are the source of terrorist attacks. This conception is dead wrong. Although we acknowledge that poor and failed states are sometimes breeding grounds for terrorists because individuals may become more prone to radical ideas, the EU's financial commitment to third countries is not enough to combat terrorism. Overemphasis on prevention - in the purely economic sense - underestimates the real source of the threat, which is the ideology of Islamic totalitarianism.

Unless we stop them, followers of this ideology - like those of totalitarian ideologies in the 20th century - will stop at nothing to achieve their goal. Their deadly plans are facilitated by regimes that provide them with funding, training, and ideological support. And yet, efforts in the Europe Union to call our enemies by their name are often met with contempt. Unfortunately, Europeans frequently need to be reminded of their tragic past. One week ago, we marked the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Second World War. We were reminded that - if left unchecked - evil ideologies can bring about colossal suffering. I come from a country that was the first to experience the destructive aggression of totalitarian regimes. Because of the war, 6 million Polish citizens were killed - half of them of the Jewish faith. But we endured and finally overcame both fascism and communism. If we are to overcome the threat from Islamic totalitarianism and defeat the ideology that breeds terrorists, then Europe and Israel must stand as one. If our objective is to defend Judeo-Christian values and ensure the individual freedoms of all our citizens, Europe and Israel must be united in this war.

Our cooperation is essential to effectively combat terrorism. This threat has no borders, which is why the EU and Israel must advance joint antiterrorism policies. Our enemies prey on the indifference of individuals and on misconceptions about the sources of terrorism. As a means to undermine the susceptibility of individuals to extreme ideas, the EU remains committed to promote good governance, democracy, education and economic prosperity through Community and Member State assistance programs. However, we must work together to effectively communicate to our citizens the true roots of the menace of terrorism. Because we are allies, we must also make it clear that any threat to Israel endangers Europe itself. The European Conservatives and Reformists Group will continue to be a voice for Israel within the European Parliament and all of Europe.

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