Renew Europe backs Standing Together for Sakharov Prize
The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament today designated Standing Together as its candidate for this year's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
Standing Together (Omdim Beyachad / Naqef Ma'an) is the largest Jewish-Arab grassroots movement in Israel, founded by Alon-Lee Green and Rula Daood to build a shared front of Jewish and Palestinian citizens for peace, equality and social justice.
For Renew Europe, this nomination carries a clear political message: at a time of deepening polarisation over the Middle East, the Group chooses to honour those who refuse the logic of division. It reaffirms Renew Europe's long-standing support for a two-state solution as the only sustainable path to peace, and its conviction that freedom of thought - the very value the Sakharov Prize protects - is best defended by those who dare to work across lines that others say cannot be crossed.
Valérie Hayer, President of the Renew Europe Group, said:
“The only viable solution for the Middle East is peaceful coexistence within a two-state framework - a solution our political family has long supported. There is no other lasting path, and it is exactly what Standing Together defends.”
Valérie HayerRenew Europe MEP, France, Renaissance
Bernard Guetta, Renew Europe coordinator for the subcommittee on human rights (DROI), said:
“We are neither pro-Israeli nor pro-Palestinian. We are pro-peace - and let us say so! Let us say it by awarding our Sakharov Prize to these Jews and Arabs who, standing side by side, Standing Together, defend the utopia we made triumph in Europe: that of peace and brotherhood.”
Bernard GuettaRenew Europe MEP, France, Sans parti
Next steps :
Presentation of nominees in a joint meeting of the AFET/ DEVE/ DROI Committees : 1st October
Vote on three finalists in a joint meeting of the AFET/ DEVE Committees : 19 October
Decision of the Conference of Presidents on the final Laureate(s) : 22 October
Prize award ceremony during plenary in Strasbourg : 16 December