Backlash as Israel invites Europe’s far-right to antisemitism conference

Several global Jewish leaders have withdrawn from a conference on combating antisemitism organised by the Israeli government, after discovering that far-right European figures were also invited.

Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s National Rally, is the most high-ranking member of the far-right delegation expected to attend the Jerusalem conference, scheduled for March 26-27.

Marion Maréchal, granddaughter of National Front founder and Holocaust denier Jean-Marie Le Pen, is also expected. Maréchal is considered even more extreme than Bardella. Unlike her aunt, Marine Le Pen, Maréchal—currently a member of the European Parliament—has never disavowed her grandfather's unabashed antisemitism.

In an invitation letter, the Israeli government stated that “This major conference will bring together political leaders, international organisations, special envoys, and prominent figures from around the world to discuss and address the global threat of modern antisemitism.” Israel is also planning “special visits” for the two MEPs to Israel’s southern and northern borders “to better understand the geopolitical landscape.” Other far-right attendees include Hermann Tertsch (Spain’s Vox) and Charlie Andreas Weimers of the Sweden Democrats, a nationalist party with historical ties to neo-Nazi organisations.

Argentinian President Javier Milei initially accepted but later cancelled due to domestic issues. All were invited by Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, whose ministry—tasked with fostering ties between Israel and the Jewish diaspora—did not publish the full list of invitees.

Amichai Chikli is pushing back against the fierce and widespread criticism. "Attempts to demonise and delegitimise some of the participants will not deter us," Chikli wrote in a WhatsApp message distributed to reporters covering his ministry. "There is no force in the world that can overcome the truth," Haaretz reported.

Several invited speakers have withdrawn after learning about the guest list. These include French philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy, German antisemitism commissioner Felix Klein, former Bundestag member Volker Beck, and ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis also cancelled his attendance, with his office telling Al-Monitor "He had originally accepted the invitation, but after being made aware of the participation of far-right and populist figures, he will not be attending."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has walked back plans to host the opening night of the event. Instead, he has invited only Jewish participants to a special gathering at his official residence, with his office confirming “Other participants will not be invited to this reception.”

Ariel Muzicant, president of the European Jewish Congress and vice president of the World Jewish Congress, condemned the decision to invite far-right figures “Inviting members of the European far right to a government-sponsored conference in Jerusalem was a stab in the back to European Jewry." Speaking at a special session of the Knesset Committee for Immigration, Absorption, and Diaspora Affairs, Muzicant warned "In Europe, we fight to keep extremist parties out of the mainstream, yet in Israel, politicians invite them, mistakenly believing these parties support Israel. They do not. These parties seek legitimacy, and I cannot understand why an Israeli minister would provide them with such validation."

According to Muzicant, the four largest Jewish organisations in the world—the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the European Jewish Congress (EJC), the World Jewish Congress (WJC), and the Conference of European Rabbis (CER)—plan to boycott the conference, leaving Minister Chikli increasingly isolated with his controversial guests.

Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli has embraced far-right figures both in Israel and abroad, breaking from Israel’s past policy of boycotting European parties with antisemitic or Nazi ties. Chikli has met with leaders such as Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, despite longstanding opposition from the French Jewish community. While these politicians claim to combat antisemitism, critics argue their parties remain xenophobic. Israel’s stance has officially shifted, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar recently establishing ties with France’s National Rally, Spain’s Vox, and Sweden Democrats.

Former Israeli Ambassador to Germany Shimon Stein and historian Moshe Zimmerman wrote in Haaretz “When the State of Israel reaches out to such groups, it sends a devastating message to democratic countries with whom Israel previously shared a set of values. When the State of Israel goes even further and reaches out to these groups on the central issue of antisemitism, it actually undermines our efforts to eliminate hatred of Jews while also limiting cooperation with diaspora Jews." They argue that this alliance is not based on a true commitment to fighting antisemitism but rather on a shared "common enemy"—Muslims, Arabs, and immigrants.

Dov Maimon, writing about the danger to the French Jewish community, warned in Ynetnews “French Jews have faced rising antisemitism from multiple sources—Islamist extremists, segments of the far left, and lingering far-right elements. Any perception, accurate or not, of a rapprochement between Israel and the National Rally could fuel antisemitic narratives that falsely depict Jews as aligned with divisive political forces in France. In a reality where antisemitic incidents are already on the rise, there is a risk that such narratives could exacerbate tensions.”

Stein and Zimmerman conclude “Israel claims to be the protector of the Jewish diaspora against antisemitism. Yet, it turns out to be a force exposing Jews to real, authentic, and unbridled antisemitism.”

READ MORE

Israel may fuel antisemitism in embrace of France's far-right (Dov Maimon, Ynetnews)

Israel's conference with Europe's far right exposes Jews to real, unbridled antisemitism (Shimon Stein and Moshe Zimmerman, Haaretz)

'Stab in the back': European Jewish leader blasts Netanyahu government for embracing far right (Haaretz)

 Morally indefensible' outrage after minister invites 'racists' to antisemitism conference (Ynetnews)

Far-right Europeans invited to Israel's antisemitism conference, causing boycott (Al-Monitor, Paywall)