Israel Police concluded an agreement with the European Union to share intelligence with the EU’s Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation.
As per the new deal, Israeli law enforcement will be able to share and receive intel with their European counterparts in real-time. The deal focuses on information in relation to serious crime and terrorism.
Haim Regev, the Israeli ambassador to the European Union who was present to sign the dotted line, wrote on Twitter that he was “happy to conclude” the negotiations with Europol, noting the deal marks “another milestone in strengthening cooperation between Israel and the EU.”
Israel’s new intelligence capabilities are set to significantly strengthen police’s ability to maintain public safety, a government statement read.
“The enemy in front of us has become elusive, sophisticated and increasingly bankrolled,” Israel public security minister claimed. “This agreement will strengthen Israel Police and the Public Security Ministry’s capabilities.”
The deal joins a host of agreements in a number of areas of cooperation between Israel and Europe.
In 2018, Israel Police signed a deal with Europol to expand cooperation to combat cross-border criminal activity. In a statement, Europol said that the new level of cooperation between the agency and Israel “will be important for tackling priority crime areas affecting both the EU and Israel, such as fraud, cybercrime and terrorism.”
