The Israeli government has so far remained silent on the European decision to cancel Europe Day celebrations scheduled in Tel Aviv to prevent right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir from speaking in Tel Aviv.
As of Tuesday morning, neither the Ministry of External Affairs nor the Prime Minister’s Office had issued a statement on the incident.
The Haaretz daily quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that the incident was a “stupid crisis” that could have been easily prevented, condemning the cabinet secretary’s decision to list Ben Gvir as the official government representative.
Israeli officials had indicated in recent days that due to protocol, Ben Gvir could not be replaced unless he chose to back down, and that there was little chance that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would replace both In the midst of the ongoing dispute between them, they could persuade him to step down.
The official who spoke to Haaretz suggested that Israel would not comment on the cancellation as it was trying to quickly put the incident in its rearview mirror: “No minister in the government has canceled meetings or visits to Europe. ‘I don’t want to meet Ben Gwyr.’ This is the clearest indication that we want to put this whole thing behind us.
On Monday, the European Union said it was canceling a Europe Day diplomatic reception over Ben Gvir’s plans to attend the meeting and deliver a speech.
“The EU Delegation to Israel looks forward to celebrating Europe Day on 9 May, as it does every year,” the European Union said in a statement. “Sadly, this year we have decided to cancel the diplomatic reception, as we do not wish to give a platform to someone whose views are at odds with the EU’s values.”
Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs reportedly handpicked Ben Gwir to attend the Europe Day event two weeks ago, as Foreign Minister Eli Cohen was due to be in India and could not attend.
According to Channel 12 news, the Foreign Office was angered at the cabinet secretary’s decision to include Ben Gvir in the program without considering the diplomatic consequences. The news network reported that diplomatic officials were expected to have further input on such decisions going forward, whereas in the past such actions were largely based on technical considerations.
The flag of the European Union is at half-staff in the form of a double rainbow above the European Council building in Brussels on September 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Olivier Mathis)
The decision to cancel the reception came after EU ambassadors met on Monday morning to decide the way forward, with Ben Gvir making clear he had no intention of pulling out of the event or spoiling his planned speech. Not there.
The decision was almost unanimous, a diplomat from an EU member state told The Times of Israel. According to the diplomat, only Poland and Hungary, two conservative pro-Israel countries, disagreed.
According to those present at the meeting, some EU ambassadors sought to issue a more stern statement, but were ultimately restrained from doing so. The original resolution presented at the meeting would have all ambassadors issue a joint statement expressing dismay at Israel’s decision to send the far-right national security minister.
Hungary and Poland blocked that statement.
New EU Ambassador to Israel Dimitar Tzanchev presents his credentials to President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem on December 6, 2021. (Koby Gideon / GPO)
The meeting, said one of the diplomats present, was spoiling for a confrontation with “the usual suspects” Israel. Some countries sent Ben Gvir to the event as a deliberate insult to Europe by Israel.
Dimitar Tzanchev, the EU envoy to Israel, initially said a statement would come from Brussels, but eventually decided to issue a statement himself as the host, according to attendees.
Immediately after the announcement, Ben Gvir lambasted EU diplomats for the decision.
“It is a shame that the European Union, which claims to represent the values of democracy and multiculturalism, is turning a blind eye to indiscipline,” he said.
Ben Gvir said, “It is my honor and privilege to represent the Government of Israel, the heroic IDF soldiers and the people of Israel at every forum.” “Friends know how to take criticism and true friends also know how to take it.”
“The State of Israel alone shall determine who are its representatives, who speak on its behalf. Europeans need to understand, we respect them, but we stand up for our destiny,” Ben Gvir said. “We will be the ones who manage the government of Israel. No other authority.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir attends a border police ceremony in Latrun on May 2, 2023. (Oren Ben Hakoun/Flash90)
Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused the far-right coalition of spoiling the positive relations with the European Union that had been promoted by the previous government led by himself and Naftali Bennett.
“Managing the foreign relations of a country like Israel is complex, and requires expertise and a smart approach,” Lapid wrote on Twitter. “The current government is drawing us into unnecessary quarrels and creating a crisis with the European Union so that Ben Gvir can embarrass us to the world again with an unnecessary speech.”
Ben Gvir has been the center of intense criticism at home and abroad for his provocative actions and statements against Palestinians, Arab Israelis, leftists and the international community.
Europe Day is a celebration of peace and unity in Europe on the anniversary of the Schumann Declaration in 1950, which proposed ceding French and West German coal and steel production. The cooperative body between West Germany and France would eventually develop and expand to become the European Union.
