The Riigikogu Foreign Affairs Committee heard a citizens' initiative on Tuesday. This initiative sought the termination of the Israel friendship group. The Riigikogu does not have the necessary mechanisms for this.
In mid-June, Merle Praakli, Sven Anton, and Remi Fady Punak initiated a citizens' initiative. They wanted to end the Estonia-Israel parliamentary group. They found that this group puts the interests of a foreign country ahead of Estonia's interests. The initiative collected 1000 signatures and reached the Riigikogu.
The Foreign Affairs Committee discussed the initiative on Tuesday. The initiators were also invited to attend. Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson said that nothing can be done with this initiative. Riigikogu friendship groups are created at the members' own request.
According to Mihkelson, there has been previous discussion in the Riigikogu about changing the rules for friendship groups. This would require amending the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. This may be difficult. Currently, there are two Georgia friendship groups in the Riigikogu with differing views. There has also been a Donald Trump support group. It is also not possible to prevent the creation of a Russia friendship group.
Previously, there has been no case where someone wanted to terminate a friendship group. For example, after a long visit to China, there was no request to liquidate the China friendship group. The initiator of the petition to disband the Israel friendship group, Merle Praakli, did not speak with ERR. The petition stated that terminating the group would ensure the seriousness and reliability of Estonia's foreign policy.