First Reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic to Move the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem" (325 OE)
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary session
Date: 2024-09-23 18:28
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 47
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 39m
AI Summaries: 47/47 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda included Riigikogu draft resolution 325, submitted by the faction of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia, which proposed that the Government of the Republic relocate the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The rapporteur, Mart Helme, stressed that moving the embassy to Jerusalem signifies the acceptance of Israel's state sovereignty and provides support to a crucial ally, drawing parallels with the relocation of the German capital to Berlin. Helme sharply criticized the recent conduct of Estonian foreign policy during a UN vote, where, he claimed, Estonia adopted the same position as Russia. During the debate, several colleagues voiced concern over the uncertainty and confusion surrounding Estonian foreign policy, particularly concerning the actions of Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.
Luisa Rõivas, representing the lead committee—the Foreign Affairs Committee—explained the procedure for handling the draft resolution, noting that the initiating faction had submitted and later withdrawn 50 obstructionist amendments. The committee decided unanimously that the adoption of the draft resolution required a majority vote of the Riigikogu membership (51 votes). In the final vote, 14 Riigikogu members supported the draft resolution, resulting in its rejection.
Decisions Made 1
Draft resolution 325 of the Riigikogu, "Making a proposal to the Government of the Republic to move the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem," was rejected, as it failed to achieve the necessary majority of the Riigikogu composition (51 votes) required for adoption. Fourteen members voted in favor.
Most Active Speaker
Mart Helme (EKRE) was the most active speaker during the session, presenting the draft bill and thoroughly answering numerous questions. His position is better.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The first item on the agenda is the presentation of the EKRE faction’s draft resolution for a Riigikogu decision, which seeks to move the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Colleague Mart Helme is invited to give the report.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme called for a vote in favor of the bill, arguing that Jerusalem is the historical capital of Israel and that moving the embassy there is the only reasonable and necessary step, through which I support the State and people of Israel.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He/She sincerely thanks and points out that the colleague also has questions.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She expresses surprise that something went unnoticed, and subsequently confirms that it is true.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech will be started by your very good acquaintance, Martin Helme.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He laughs and confirms that he is actually a relative.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme asks why Estonia should stick its nose into the Middle East, referring to the centuries-long conflict between Semitic tribes and saying that it is none of our business.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In accordance with the principle of national sovereignty, Estonia must accept the sovereign decisions of other states while simultaneously demanding that others also accept Estonia's independent decisions, rather than merely being an appendage of its allies.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi called Lauri Laats to the stage.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats criticizes the foreign policy of Eesti 200 and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting significant confusion and the breakdown of relations (Georgia, China, UN decision). He calls for a clear, stable diplomatic direction, as well as the maintenance and development of international relations.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme claims that Estonia's foreign policy is currently inconsistent, representing a gradual disintegration of sovereignty and decision-making ability. This is because contradictory signals are coming from Brussels and Washington, and the minister's authority is often insufficient, which creates confusion among citizens and disorder in foreign relations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi remarked that the speech was already approaching the length of a full presentation and called upon Vladimir Arhipov to take the floor.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arhipov referred to Jerusalem as the capital declared by Israel and asked whether moving the Estonian embassy there might strengthen relations with Israel and other countries that have already done so.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme’s statement highlights that while Estonia–US relations are close, they are very one-sided and largely directed toward globalist liberals. He emphasizes the diplomat’s role in establishing contacts with representatives of various political views, rather than merely monitoring media coverage. Furthermore, he draws a comparison to Israel’s complex situation due to the surrounding Islamic world, asserting that for small countries, maintaining sovereignty and pursuing a single policy regarding Russia is extremely difficult.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi requests that Arvo Aller speak.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller is seeking a broader understanding of whether a country's declared capital determines where embassies and international organizations must be located, citing Germany's move from Bonn to Berlin.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme cites the example of Germany and notes that Israel also has the sovereign right to decide on the status of Jerusalem as its capital, stressing that this is not a black-and-white issue, and that historical wounds in Berlin and Jerusalem will take time to heal.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asks Vadim Belobrovtsev to come forward.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev notes that the vote on the UN resolution violated the established practice used when the EU lacks consensus, and Estonia either voted or abstained, aligning itself with the US and several other countries. Frankly speaking, he has not been able to find an answer as to why Estonia’s foreign policy line has suddenly changed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi expressed his thanks in the speech.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme said that he has no answer and is confused because there are no Foreign Affairs Committee sessions this week, and therefore he has not had the opportunity to ask for clarification from high-ranking representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman recalled the 2020 Jerusalem Day and the visit to the Knesset, explained the background to the resulting scandal, emphasized Jerusalem's status as part of the historical capital, supported the proposal, and added that the Foreign Minister's vote at the UN must also have the backing of the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a brief invitation to call Riina Solman to the stage.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The question explores the potential considerations of senior officials and why they issue such directives.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme stresses that Jerusalem is the capital of Christianity and that Estonia should establish an embassy there. He also confirms his support for the bill aimed at affirming cultural identity, while simultaneously offering his personal view on the existence of Palestinian rights and making references to the historical Crusades.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked his colleague and asked Luisa Rõivas, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, to present the lead committee’s positions.
Luisa Rõivas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Luisa Rõivas describes the course of the long and complicated procedure concerning the EKRE faction's draft decision in the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament), starting from October 2023. This included the submission and subsequent withdrawal of 50 amendments intended for obstruction, the implementation of linguistic and technical regulatory corrections, and finally reaching the concluding phase with consensual adoption.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks the audience and asks if there are any questions, then invites Lauri Laats to take the floor.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats asked whether there had been a prior discussion in the Foreign Affairs Committee regarding the UN decisions related to moving the embassy to Jerusalem, and whether subsequent UN-related decisions would also be discussed in the Foreign Affairs Committee beforehand.
Luisa Rõivas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The topic was not addressed during the debate on this draft resolution; however, the Foreign Minister will be with us on October 7th, when we will be able to raise the issue.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asks Vladimir Arhipov to take the floor.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The impact of moving the embassy to Jerusalem depends largely on the orientation of Estonia's foreign policy strategic objectives in the Middle East.
Luisa Rõivas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rõivas said that the draft decision was initiated by the EKRE faction—apparently Henn Põlluaas—and in the committee, it was justified as primarily symbolic support for Israel, and no conflict of values arose in the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asks Martin Helm to speak.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme asks where the requirement for 51 votes comes from—a requirement already decided by the board long ago—and whether this issue was raised in the commission. He emphasized that the draft bill contains nothing to justify this requirement and that there is no need for legislative changes or greater expenditures.
Luisa Rõivas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The committee put this matter to a vote, and not a single committee member was opposed, and the Poolamets family, who was present from your party, supported the vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This talk is simply a request to invite Ants Frosch to the stage.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He briefly asked the director in which Israeli city the Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia would present his credentials.
Luisa Rõivas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
We can put this question to Margus Tsahkna, but so far it has apparently been handled in Tel Aviv, and our honorary consul is based in Jerusalem.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Arvo Aller to speak.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller asked why 51 votes are necessary, why absolutely no reason is provided for this, and whether the motion is being put to a vote without any clarification.
Luisa Rõivas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Luisa Rõivas said that there was no conflict in the committee when the committee chairman Marko Mihkelson put it to a vote, and although your party had the opportunity to vote against it, there were no opposing votes—everyone was unanimously in favor.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the rapporteur, announces that there are no further questions for the rapporteur, and directs the question to the presiding officer of the session.
Ants Frosch
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ants Frosch asks the presiding officer what should be done if a falsehood or inaccuracy is heard from the podium, adding the remark that all ambassadors present their credentials in Jerusalem.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announces that negotiations are open, states that there are no amendments, and directs Draft Riigikogu Decision 325, submitted by the EKRE faction, to the final vote. The purpose of the draft is to move the Estonian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He emphasizes that the adoption of the decision requires an absolute majority of the Riigikogu membership and asks everyone to vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Bill 325 received 14 votes in favor, 0 against, and 0 abstentions, but failed to secure the necessary support for adoption and was ultimately rejected.