The European Union announced on Monday May 8 the cancellation of the diplomatic reception scheduled for May 9 in Tel Aviv for Europe Day after the decision of the Israeli government to be represented there by the Minister of national security, far-right and Jewish supremacist, Itamar Ben Gvir.
Europe Day commemorates each year the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950, the proposal made that day by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman for a new form of political cooperation that would make war between nations impossible. European Unions, and which is considered the founding stone of the European Union (EU).
“Unfortunately this year we have decided to cancel the diplomatic reception because we do not want to offer a platform to someone whose views are in contradiction with the values defended by the European Union”the EU delegation to Israel wrote in a statement. “The cultural event for the Israeli public” will be maintained, specifies the text.
“An undiplomatic nailing of the beak” for Mr. Ben Gvir
“It’s a shame that the EU, which claims to represent democracy and multiculturalism, is engaging in undiplomatic nailing”replied Mr. Ben Gvir in a press release from his services. “The State of Israel will be the only one to determine who its representatives are”, he added. Mr. Ben Gvir has been appointed by the government as the Israeli representative at the reception, Israeli officials confirmed on Monday.
On Sunday, Israeli media reported that this choice had aroused the discontent of the EU. Mr. Ben Gvir, leader of the far-right Jewish Force party, issued a statement on Sunday confirming his presence, saying “that even if the representatives of the EU do not share his opinions (…) they understand very well that Israel is a democracy and that in a democracy, we have the right to hear other opinions”.
Mr. Ben Gvir was indicted more than 50 times in his youth for incitement to violence or for hate speech, and convicted in 2007 of supporting a terrorist group and inciting racism. A fervent supporter of Jewish colonization in the West Bank – regularly condemned by the EU – he has repeatedly pleaded for the annexation of this Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967.