The European Union delegation in Israel on Monday canceled its Europe Day diplomatic reception due to the planned participation of the far-right Israeli minister. Itamar Ben-Gvirwho criticized the decision as a form of “silence”.
“Regretfully, this year we have decided to cancel the diplomatic reception, as we do not want to offer a platform to someone whose views contradict the values that the EU stands for,” the delegation said in a statement.
The European bloc marks May 9 as “Europe Day”, in honor of a 1950 French declaration that led to the founding of the body that became the EU. National Security Minister Ben-Gvir was chosen to represent the Israeli government at this year’s reception.
The EU’s reaction, however, highlights the diplomatic upheavals faced by the religious-nationalist coalition led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose alliance with Ben-Gvir and pro-settlement leader Bezalel Smotrich has caused unease even among international allies. from Israel.
Ben-Gvir, head of the far-right Jewish Power party, was convicted in 2007 of racist incitement against Arabs and for supporting a group considered by Israel and the United States to be a terrorist organization.
“It is a shame that the European Union, which claims to represent the values of democracy and multiculturalism, is involved in undiplomatic silencing,” Ben-Gvir said in a statement.
Netanyahu himself is still awaiting an invitation to visit Washington, and opposition leader Yair Lapid has accused the government of “provoking unnecessary strife”.
Some Israeli human rights groups that said they had been invited to attend the event issued a statement supporting its cancellation.
Source: CNN Brasil

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