The European Union cancels an event in Israel because of a far-right minister’s plan to attend

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By Yolande Knell BBC News, Jerusalem

1 hour ago

photo caption,

Itamar Ben Gvir accused the EU of “undiplomatic silencing” in response to the decision

The European Union canceled its diplomatic events on Europe Day in Israel due to the planned participation of far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

Organizers said they did not want to “show a platform” to someone whose views and values ​​conflict with hers.

As the designated representative of the Israeli government, Ben Gvir insisted that he deliver the usual speech at Tuesday’s ceremony.

In response to the decision, he accused the European Union of “undiplomatic gag”.

It is understood that the General Secretariat of the Government of Israel put forward Mr. Ben Gvir’s name according to a rotating list of ministers who have been selected to attend official diplomatic events and that the EU ambassadors were caught off guard.

Despite explicit requests from the European Union and its prominent member states to send a minister who was not linked to the extreme right, Ben Gvir insisted on his departure.

The Minister of National Security stated that he would use his speech to call for a “united struggle against jihad and terrorism” while also telling EU representatives that “it is inappropriate for EU countries to fund initiatives against the IDF.” [Israel Defense Forces] Israeli soldiers and citizens.

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Several representatives of the European Union have threatened not to attend.

The decision to cancel the diplomatic ceremony was taken after a meeting of EU ambassadors to Israel. Israeli media reported that only Hungary and Poland, two conservative, pro-Israel countries, objected.

In a short statement, the EU delegation to Israel said it would continue to celebrate Europe Day on Tuesday, as it does annually.

She said a public cultural event scheduled for Tel Aviv would go ahead to “celebrate with our friends and partners in Israel the strong and constructive bilateral relationship”.

Ben Gvir’s office’s response criticized the EU, saying it was “a disgrace” that the international body “which claims to represent the values ​​of democracy and multiculturalism, practices undiplomatic muzzling”.

“It is an honor and a privilege for me to represent the Israeli government, the heroic soldiers of the Israeli army and the people of Israel in every forum,” he added.

Since Israel was sworn into its most hawkish government at the end of last year, official representatives of several European countries — which have strong ties to Israel — have refused to meet Mr. Ben Gvir and his fellow ultra-nationalist, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

The controversy surrounding Europe Day was a diplomatic embarrassment.

Adding to the sensitive timing, the European Union strongly condemned Israel’s demolition on Sunday of an EU-funded primary school for Palestinian children near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli military said the building – located in a part of the West Bank under full Israeli control – was built illegally and unsafely, which led to an Israeli court ordering its demolition.

Palestinians often justify what Israel considers illegal construction in the West Bank by saying that it is almost impossible to obtain official building permits.

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