Crisis of the ‘Israeli far-right minister’ in the EU

The European Union (EU) Representation in Israel canceled the EU Day diplomatic reception, which the far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was scheduled to attend.

The EU Representation in Israel announced that it canceled the EU Day diplomatic reception on May 9, which is accepted as the establishment of the European Union, in a post shared on social media. The representation justified the cancellation of the reception that “avoid giving platform to a name whose opinions are contrary to the fundamental values ​​of the EU”.

Ben-Gvir, a far-right whose speech at the reception caused controversy, said in a statement to the Israeli press: “The censorship against EU diplomacy, which claims to defend democracy and multiculturalism, is a disgrace. Friends, true friends know how to criticize and true friends know how to listen to them.

The General Secretariat of the Israeli government, which determines ministers’ programs regarding diplomatic receptions, appointed Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for his racist and discriminatory statements and actions, to attend the European Union Day Diplomatic Reception on May 9. According to Israeli media reports, the EU Representation, in a letter to the Israeli government, opposed the appointment of Ben-Gvir to speak on EU Day.

“The EU does not agree with the political views of Ben-Gvir and his party. Many statements made by Ben-Gvir in the past are against the values ​​represented by the Union.”

It was shared that the General Secretariat of the Israeli government stated that if Ben-Gvir did not apply to participate in the show, a new name would be chosen in his place, but that Ben-Gvir would attend the reception and give a speech there.

Right-wing extremists in government carry out critical missions

In the coalition government established by Prime Minister Netanyahu at the end of 2022, names like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for their racist actions and speeches against Palestinians and supporters of Jewish settlers, were appointed to critical posts.

Known for his “Jewish supremacist” approach to Israeli politics, the far-right Ben-Gvir has long stood out as a controversial figure.

Ben-Gvir, known for inciting Jewish settlers to commit violence in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, has been called a “murderer’s lawyer”, “devil’s advocate” and “criminal” by Palestinians for advocating in cases involving terrorist attacks perpetrated by Jewish fanatics. (AA)