European faction seeks bond with Likud

The delegation will explain the Likud’s policies to a group of 15 ECR members of Parliament.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, flanked by Likud MKs Yuval Steinitz and Ze’ev Elkin, speaks at the Likud faction meeting December 8 (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, flanked by Likud MKs Yuval Steinitz and Ze’ev Elkin, speaks at the Likud faction meeting December 8
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
A delegation from the Likud will fly to Strasbourg on Monday at the invitation of the European Conservatives and Reformists faction in the European Parliament.
The delegation will explain the Likud’s policies to a group of 15 ECR members of Parliament. The ECR hopes to reach an agreement with the Likud that would enable it to become one of the ECR’s “regional members,” which would allow Likud representatives to attend ECR faction meetings and influence its policies.
“This is a significant step, because at a time of boycotts of Israel, the Likud will be added to a group in Europe that has power,” said Eli Hazan, the Likud’s deputy director- general for public and foreign relations.
Hazan will head the delegation, which will include mayors, city council members and advisers to Likud leaders. MKs will not be part of the group, because in a 61-member coalition, they are all needed in the 120-seat Knesset.
The ECR was founded by members of the British Conservative Party.
Bringing together 75 MEPs from 17 EU countries, it is the third-largest group in the European Parliament.
Hazan has made an effort to build relations between the Likud and Center-Right parties across Europe.
The meeting with ECR will take place due to Hazan’s success in reaching out to party officials on a recent trip to London.