Italiano

European Parliament Member Bastiaan Belder visits Expo 2015

European Parliament Member Bastiaan Belder visits Expo 2015

European Parliament Member Bastiaan Belder visited the Israel Pavilion at Expo Milano on June 18 and also visited the KKL-JNF compound. Belder was impressed by the exhibition and signed the guestbook. He noted KKL-JNF’s contribution to society and culture in Israel and added that KKL-JNF’s work is the right gateway for Europeans to understanding Israel.


Belder arrived for a special visit to the Israeli pavilion at Expo Milano during which he met with KKL-JNF representatives at the KKL-JNF compound at the exhibition, including Karine Bolton-Laor, director of international relations and exhibitions, Itzhak Moshe, deputy director of KKL-JNF's southern region in Israel and Dr. David Brand, head forester and director of the KKL-JNF Forestry Division.

Belder was taken on a private tour with Josh Bendit of the Israel Pavilion. During the visit, Belder said that he really enjoyed everything he saw at the pavilion and the KKL-JNF exhibition.

Bastiaan Belder is a Dutch politician who has been a member of the European Parliament on behalf of the SGP party since 1999. Belder serves deputy chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, a member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, and deputy chairman of the Committee for Relations with Israel. In September 2014 Belder led the European Parliament’s official delegation to the Israeli Knesset, and during this visit, he toured select KKL-JNF sites.

At the end of the visit Belder stated: “The most impressive visit I’ve had in Israel was in 2014 with KKL-JNF. Israel is a small yet diverse country, like the Netherlands, with major differences between the various areas. KKL-JNF’s personnel have an intimate and in-depth knowledge of all of the different regions and areas around Israel.” Belder added that he was very impressed with KKL-JNF’s contribution to Israeli society and culture as well as the professional knowledge and the great work for the Bedouin population in Israel. “I know KKL-JNF and its aspiration for coexistence and good relations with the Palestinians.”

During a conversation with Karine Bolton-Laor, Belder noted that he would like to hold a seminar and/or an exhibition on agriculture in Israel, and for this purpose he would like to raise wide support and attendance. “I’ll recommend to my colleagues at the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development as well as other committees to take part in such a seminar. I think that in order to understand Israel, you need to get to know the work that KKL-JNF does. KKL-JNF’s work is the right gateway for Europeans to understand Israel.”


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Bastiaan Belder outside the Israel Pavilion, with Dr. David Brand and Itzhak Moshe. Photo: KKL Italy

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Bastiaan Belder at the interactive KKL-JNF totem. Photo: KKL Italy

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Bastiaan Belder takes a tour with Josh Bendit and Karine Bolton-Laor. Photo: KKL Italy

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Bastiaan Belder at forestry display in the KKL-JNF compound. Photo: KKL Italy

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Bastiaan Belder signs the Israel Pavilion guestbook. Photo: KKL Italy