EU calls off Europe Day event over far-right Israeli minister’s planned participation
The European Union has canceled its diplomatic event for Europe Day in Tel Aviv over the planned participation of the regime’s far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The EU delegation in the occupied territories announced in a tweet on Monday that it had called off its Europe Day diplomatic reception on May 9 over the organizers’ refusal "to offer a platform" to someone whose views were in contradiction to the bloc’s values.
“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 EU stands for,” the delegation said in a post on Twitter.
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
Europe Day is annually celebrated on May 9, which honors a 1950 French declaration that led to the founding of the body that was later named the EU.
After the hardline cabinet of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu designated a representative to the event, Ben-Gvir said he would give a customary speech at the ceremony on Tuesday.
“We don’t endorse the political views of Mr. Ben-Gvir,” EU foreign policy spokesman Peter Stano said earlier on Monday. “We don’t endorse the political views of his party because they are in stark contradiction with all the values the European Union stands for and believes in.”
Ben-Gvir, head of Israel’s far-right Jewish Power party, was convicted in 2007 of racist incitement against Palestinians and backing terrorist organizations.
Last month, the Israeli cabinet approved a proposed plan by Ben-Gvir to form a “national guard” whose units would work alongside the police and military to suppress pro-Palestinian protests. The plan was met with harsh criticism from the hardline Israeli cabinet’s detractors who said Ben-Gvir would be forming "a private militia for his political needs."
Since Netanyahu's extremist cabinet took office in December, the Israeli regime has ramped up attacks on Palestinian towns and cities throughout the occupied territories. As a result of these attacks, dozens of Palestinians have lost their lives and many others have been arrested.
The extremist cabinet has also said that it will put settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank at the top of its list of priorities.
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