Dalia Itsik is one of a number of Israeli politicians who have left their political party and join another as the campaign for the national elections began.

The former minister recently left Labour to join Ariel Sharon’s new Kadima party and is hoping to be re-elected as part of a Sharon government on 28 March.

EJP spoke to Itsik about the relationship between Israel and Europe, and France in particular.

EJP: Relations between Israel and Europe have greatly improved throughout the year. How do you explain this change? Is this one of the expected results of the Gaza pullout?

Dalia Itsik: We are thrilled about the change. I have to admit that we sometimes have a hard time understanding each other. Pierre Besnainou, the European Jewish Congress’ chairman, says his organisation is a bridge between Europe and Israel and that it is a difficult task to explain Israel to Europeans and to explain Europe to Israelis.

In the past, we, the Israelis, have sometimes been disappointed because we felt Europe was taking sides in the Israeli-Palestinian issue. But Europe can be a wonderful mediator when it keeps a fair and balanced attitude.

We sometimes feel that the difference between the European and the American points of view can worsen things and revive the conflict, which is exactly what we are trying to avoid. But today we see the EU engaging itself in the process and we’re pleased. I think that a united European view on the Middle East can have a positive effect in the Middle East.

The two sides are now helping us move forward and Europe can become central in the Israeli-Palestinian process. I welcome the change. I represented Israel in the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) and I definitely see today a difference in the situation between Israel and the EU.

I think the pullout from Lebanon was a major element in the change of the European perception and attitude towards us. We have been through terrible years of terror in Israel. It was a very aggressive campaign. I hope that in a few years you’ll interview me and I will say “See, the powers of good made it through.”

EJP: Is the renewed enlarged European involvement in the Middle-East, illustrated by the Rafah agreement, only at its beginning? What type of role can Europe play in the near future?
Dalia Itsik: I sure hope so. I wouldn’t want to see Europe as just a payer but also as a player.

We have no interest in pushing the EU into a corner. We consider stands Europe adopted in the past as unbalanced, but things change and today we believe it has a neutral point of view, and this will enable it to be a mediator. A mediator has to be impartial; otherwise it can not be a mediator.I hope for us and the European as well as the Palestinians that we won’t be necessary anymore, that with the European energy, we’ll achieve peace at last.

EJP: Israeli diplomacy regularly asks European countries to help it improve its relations with the Arab states. Is that one of your major expectations from the EU?

Dalia Itsik: I’m certain Europe can help us on that level. I even think that is Europe’s major force.

But, again, a mediator must be impartial. If Israel feels the EU keeps its current balanced positions, then it could help Israel in a very efficient way, since Israel does not have peace agreements with all of the Arab countries. That’s a great role and responsibility for Europe.

EJP: The EU, and France in particular, is showing great determination on the Syria-Lebanon and on the Iran issues. How do you explain this new enlarged involvement?

Dalia Itsik: I think Europe realises now that this terror problem is a threat not only abroad but also on its own ground. This isn’t local violence, a problem that concerns exclusively the Middle East. Those who wanted to perceive it as such were wrong. Europe understands today that terror threatens the whole world and the value of freedom. Europe understands now that this problem has to be dealt with. I’m certain that following the terrible terror attacks in Europe, and the innocent victims, everyone can unite and gather energy to understand terror, but certainly not to justify it in any way. No cause can justify terror.