I’m excited for the Olympics.

My tickets are in hand, I’ve stood on tip toes to glimpse the Torch Relay and I’m soaking up the atmosphere around London.

Meanwhile, sadly, the media seem to be concentrating on stories about missile defence systems being placed on residential tower blocks and the army being drafted in to shore up security.

Which all acts as a rather sad reminder that, depressingly, there are a lot of people out there who wish us only harm.

If we needed another reminder, it came last week with a suicide bomb attack in Bulgaria, a European Union member state.

Which was part of the reason I was so pleased to hear on Tuesday that the European Union had decided to deepen its links with Israel.

At an EU-Israel Association Council meeting, it was agreed that bilateral and trade relations across sixty different policy areas would be upgraded. This includes such diverse things as agriculture, energy and policing; there’s even to be increased cooperation between Israel and the European Space Agency!

In his statement after the conference, the Commissioner responsible for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan Fule, described Israel as “the prime example of democracy in the region”.

And in that small phrase I think the significant point is encapsulated.

The Arab-Israeli conflict is incredibly complex and there are legitimate criticisms to make of both parties. But when Britain, the EU, and the democratic world in general is facing threats that require missiles to be placed in cities, we’d be fools not to be creating closer ties between us and a democratic, liberal ally – Israel.

Yes, the debates around Israel are complicated. They’re bound to be – the country’s involved in a decades old conflict with some of the same people who the missiles in East London are designed to deter. But conflicts are there to be solved through negotiation between two parties not through empty political gestures designed to punish a country.

So bravo to the EU.

Bravo for standing up to those who prioritise boycotts and isolation over dialogue and engagement.

Bravo for not denying European citizens the obvious benefits that closer cooperation with Israel will bring us.

And bravo for cementing, in the midst of economic meltdown and endless security threats, our relationship with a true democracy, a true ally and a true friend.

The motivation of those who advocate boycotts of Israeli goods, cultural events or academics is baffling.

Many actually believe that they are somehow helping to promote peace, but how can driving a wedge between Israelis and Palestinians possibly be the best way to secure a better future for all.

Even more bizarre is the idea that the best way to encourage peace is by denying European citizens the best medical care possible. And yet that is exactly what anti-Israel groups are currently trying to do.

In May, the European Parliament will be voting on a technical piece of legislation, the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA) which would confirm that Israel abides to the same standards as the European Union when it comes to producing industrial pharmaceutical goods.

This would save time and money, as the safety checks Israel already perform on its medicines would not have to be repeated once the products arrive in the EU. In effect, we get some of the best medicines produced in the world cheaper and faster.

Illustrating the point, Fair Play co-Chairman Brain Kerner has said:

“As a retired pharmacist, I know that medicines are vital and life-saving but can also be expensive. Anything that can open up markets and bring down the prices of medicines is good for the NHS and good for the public. The campaign to keep barriers on Israeli medicines entering the EU is both self-defeating and immoral”

Israel has satisfied all the criteria laid down by the EU, but under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, the ACAA with Israel still needs approval from the European Parliament.

This should be a mere formality, but for some people, it’s more important to try and score political points by blocking the vote, than to ensure European citizens get the very best medical care we can.

So, over the last few weeks we have seen the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and their friends in the Liberal Democrats Friends of Palestine group increase their efforts to persuade MEPs not to vote for the ratification.

Let’s be clear – these Israeli medicines would reach the EU anyway. We will benefit from Israel’s outstanding pharmaceutical industry regardless of whether or not the ACAA is passed.

But by blocking the legislation, the boycotters will be adding to the amount we must pay when we need medicine and slowing down how quickly it is available.

It’s a truly bizarre position to take, and reveals just how extreme the boycott movement has become.

And extremism needs a response.

If you believe that the health of European citizens should be prioritised over petty political point scoring, then you must contact your MEPs. Explain to them that you would like them to vote in your best interests and not acquiesce to pressure from those whose primary motivation is to attack the State of Israel.

If you want more information about this issue, please contact fpcg@fairplaycg.org.uk.