The European Union has cancelled its Europe Day diplomatic reception in Israel to prevent far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir from delivering a speech at the event.
"Regrettably, this year we have decided to cancel the usual diplomatic reception, as we do not want to offer a platform to someone whose views contradict the values the European Union stands for," the EU Diplomatic Service (EEAS) said in a statement on Monday.
EEAS said that the cultural event open to the public is scheduled to go ahead as planned.
EU delegations around the world are hosting events on Tuesday to celebrate Europe Day, the anniversary of the Schuman declaration. On 9 May 1950, French foreign minister Robert Schuman set out the idea for European cooperation through the European Coal and Steel Community (the EU's precursor).
After the Israel EU Delegation sent out an invitation to state authorities, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of National Security and ultranationalist leader, was assigned to represent the Israeli government at the reception.
The EU Delegation to 🇮🇱 is looking forward to celebrating Europe Day on May 9, as it does every year. Regrettably, 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 the 🇪🇺 stands for. >
— EU in Israel 🇪🇺🇮🇱 (@EUinIsrael) May 8, 2023
While Prime Minister Netanyahu's current coalition is considered to be the most right-wing Israeli government to date, Ben-Gvir is one of its most extreme members. He has threatened to leave the coalition or not vote for it in the parliament if his political demands are not met. The Prime Minister's office assigned him to represent Israel at the EU reception. Despite EU protests, he was not willing to be replaced by another minister.
Ben-Gvir leads the Jewish Power Party and has at least eight convictions under his belt, including charges including incitement to racism and supporting a terrorist organisation. Ben-Gvir has a hard-line stance on Israeli settlements in the West Bank and responses to Palestinian terrorist attacks and rocket strikes. He has proposed death penalty against terrorists and demanded a "national guard" under his command.
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The minister intended to give a speech at the Europe Day event, but EU officials feared that he would use the occasion to claim legitimacy on the world stage, the Times of Israel revealed. After the cancellation of the diplomatic reception, he accused EU of "silencing" him. "Friends know how to voice criticism and true friends also know how to hear such."
It reported that the EU seeks to work with more moderate Israeli ministers and Ben-Gvir's assignment to the event was forcing their hand. "Israel is forcing the European countries to respond to a crisis that no one wants," an unnamed official told the Times of Israel.
