Israel has congratulated the European Union for winning the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize. “The exemplary success of the EU in establishing peace in Europe after two world wars is an inspiration to the whole family of nations,” said a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

“Israel has a particular interest in the European peacemaking achievement,” the statement continued. “During World War II, the Jewish People lost one third of its members on European soil, and European reconciliation, therefore, affects Israel directly.”

The statement ended with a call to the EU to “continue its efforts for promoting peace in the Middle East.”