EU snubs Ben-Gvir in nixed Europe Day bash

Decision made in Brussels described by a senior Foreign Ministry official in Jerusalem as a slap to the face of the government; Ben-Gvir accuses Europeans of silencing criticism
Itamar Eichner|
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The European Union announced on Monday that it would not hold a Europe Day celebration in Israel, over the insistence of far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to speak at the event.
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דגל האיחוד האירופי
דגל האיחוד האירופי
Itamar Ben-Gvir, EU flag
(Photo: Reuters, AFP)
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The decision was taken after consultation with the EU's Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels and a senior official in the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem said in response that this was a "slap in the face," for the government.
Ben Gvir, who was tapped to represent the government, by the cabinet secretariat in a rotation of assignments, said on Sunday, that he intends to speak at the reception. The minister had not been met by the European envoy Dimiter Tzantchev or other ambassadors representing European nations.
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Sunday in a Kan radio interview that Ben-Gvir had been assigned by the government secretary to attend “not as a representative of the Jewish Power party ... but to represent the government of Israel.”
"The minister will talk about the importance of the EU and Israel jointly fighting terror and will call of strengthening the cooperation and uniting around the fight against Jihad and the terrorists and will caution against financing actions taken against IDF soldiers," his office said in a statement.
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איתמר בן גביר
איתמר בן גביר
Itamar Ben-Gvir
(Photo: Yair Sagi)
European diplomats appealed to the Foreign Ministry earlier requesting the minister not be sent to represent the Israeli government, but to no avail. Ben-Gvir said he insists on attending and speaking at the reception.
"The EU delegation 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 EU stands for." The EU's embassy in Israel said in a statement on Twitter. adding that cultural events for the Israeli public will be maintained "to celebrate with our friends and partners in Israel the strong and constructive bilateral relationship."
Ben-Gvir said in response, that the EU was behaving in undiplomatic silencing.
"It's a shame that the EU, which claims to represent multiculturalism instead practices silencing. It is an honor for me to represent the Israeli government, the heroic IDF, and the people of Israel in every forum. Real friends know how to voice criticism & how to hear it as well," he said in his own Twitter post. He went on to say that although Israel respects the EU, it runs its own government.
Steffen Seibert, Germany's envoy to Israel said he regretted the need for such action.
"I wish this hadn’t been necessary - but it was. Looking forward to celebrating Europe and the values that unite us at the cultural event," he said.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who has served as prime minister and foreign minister said the current coalition is responsible for a crisis with the European body after his government saw relations thrive.
Rather than continuing the positive path that added to Israel's economy and international standing, the current government is throwing us into unnecessary disputes and causing a crisis with the EU just so that Ben-Gvir could once again embarrass us," Lapid said.
Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz said the government acted irresponsibly when it assigned Ben-Gvir to the Europe Day event and blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the diplomatic incident that was caused.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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8.
Hypocrites in some parts of The EU
Imagine if any of the Nazis and The Far Right in Europe or The USA had been invited to this Event by the EU! There would have been uproar, and quite right too. Ben-Gvir you are a scumbag. Israel take note. Bigots and thugs in Government are not wanted. Further note to the EU: You better be as good as your word when it comes to The European Nazis currently backed and in favour by Bruno Kahl of Germany's BND and the Neo-Nazi scene inside Elements of MI6 presently.
Dan| 05.08.23
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7.
At least the EU has Zivilcourage and clear vision,
And it's the opposite of what our current government ,meaning our PM, has.no courage ,no values,no vision and no plan. People like Ben give,smotrich and friends are facists and need to be excluded from any government.
Clausewitz| 05.08.23
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6.
Must do as EU tells me! Must do as EU tells me! Must do as E
It’s so bleeping transparent: The leftists that run the EU don’t so much have our “best interests” in mind. We need to stand for ourselves and let let anyone else bully us. But the real laugh is reading Ynet and see how blatantly they are a propaganda outfit for the left. It’s not an affront to “the government” , it’s an affront to the state of israel. (Ynet might have forgotten that the government was elected by the people of israel). It’s so hilarious how so many people are “far right” (perhaps most of the country), but not a single person in the whole state of israel can be classified as “far left”?! I think there probably exist people out there stupid enough not to appreciate that Ynet is just propaganda and they don’t give a hoot about reporting at all, unless it can be used for their agenda. Still, I think most people know they’re full of it.
David| 05.08.23
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