A conference organized by the Israeli government in Jerusalem on Thursday brought together several far-right European leaders to discuss ways to combat antisemitism. However, the event was met with criticism from many Jewish leaders, who objected to the inclusion of controversial figures.
The gathering underscored the growing alliance between Israel—a country founded after the Holocaust—and European far-right parties, some of which are accused of maintaining ties to antisemitism and Nazism from World War II.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who leads a hardline nationalist government, has strengthened ties with populist leaders from Hungary, Brazil, and Argentina. Many of these politicians, including Netanyahu, have been influenced by the policies of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
During his speech at the conference, Netanyahu praised Trump for his actions against antisemitism. He also blamed American campus protests against the Israel-Gaza war on what he called a “systemic alliance” between left-wing progressives and radical Islam.
“Antisemitism is a disease carried by barbarians in all civilized societies,” Netanyahu declared.
The conference reflected the increasingly strained relationship between Israel and its Western allies, who have expressed concerns over Israel’s policies and the devastating war in Gaza. Earlier this month, Israel ended a ceasefire with Hamas and resumed hostilities. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is under investigation by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity in Gaza.
The rise in antisemitic violence worldwide since the war began was a key issue at the conference.
Read also: Global Tuberculosis Cases Rise in 2023 Despite Decreasing Mortality Rates
Among the attendees was Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, who blamed the surge of antisemitism in Europe on immigration and radical Islam. He described Islamism as the “totalitarianism of the 21st century” and urged Western nations to recognize the link between Islamism, antisemitism, and mass immigration.
Also present was David Friedman, former U.S. ambassador to Israel under Trump. When asked about Trump’s plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza, Friedman enthusiastically responded:
“I love it! I love it. And I think it’s doable.“
Other far-right leaders from the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Hungary also participated. Among them was Milorad Dodik, president of Bosnia’s Serbian entity, who attended despite facing an international arrest warrant for separatist policies.
Panel discussions at the event focused on topics such as “how progressivism has become trapped by antisemitism” and “how radical Islam fuels antisemitism in the West.”
However, the conference faced significant boycotts. Several prominent Jewish figures withdrew, including Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, as well as French philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy and German antisemitism commissioner Felix Klein.
Even Israeli President Isaac Herzog distanced himself, opting to hold a separate meeting with Jewish leaders who had initially planned to attend the conference.
This article is originally published on lactualite.com
