After walkout, Bennett makes amends with EU president Schulz

Jewish Home chairman extends olive branch just a week after critiquing European Parliament head’s Knesset address

By Aron Dónzis 19 February 2014, 11:42 pm Edit

Economy Minister Naftali Bennett and President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz meeting in Brussels, February 19, 2014. (photo credit: Courtesy Naftali Bennett's office)

One week after harshly criticizing European Parliament President Martin Schulz for his address at the Knesset, Jewish Home chairman Naftali Bennett extended the olive branch, and a 2,000 year old coin.

The two met for an hour in Brussels during Bennett’s visit to the EU headquarters in Brussels, and discussed, among other things, Schulz’s speech last Wednesday where he criticized Israel for its blockade of the Gaza Strip and for allegedly allowing Israelis to consume more water than Palestinians.

The speech drew harsh condemnation from many on Israel’s right, and a number of lawmakers, led by Bennett, walked out during the address in protest.

Minutes after Schulz finished speaking, Bennett released a statement demanding an apology for “two lies that the Palestinians fed him.”

“The words that were heard in the Knesset are very grave,” Bennett stated. “Silence in the face of false propaganda legitimizes actions against Israelis. I will not accept false moralizing against the people of Israel, in Israel’s Knesset. Certainly not in German.”

During their conversation Wednesday, Schulz guaranteed Bennett that he will always stand with Israel. Bennett presented the German politician with a 2,000-year-old coin unearthed in Jerusalem, and thanked him for his firm stance against boycotts of Israel. He explained the Knesset walkout as “a parliamentary move,” Channel 2 reported.

The two also discussed expanding ties between Europe and Israel.

“Europe is Israel’s number one trade partner and we need to work to advance our ties,” Bennett said, according to a spokesperson.