After insisting on attending despite a request from European organizers to represent the government with someone else, the European Union is exploring the possibility of canceling appearances at the Europe Day celebration due to Itamar Ben Gvir’s determination to deliver the speech.
Israeli media reported that the final decision will be made at a special meeting of EU representatives on this issue, which will be held on Monday.
Ben Gvir, leader of the ultranationalist Otzma Yehudit party, is determined to appear at Europe Day celebrations on Tuesday despite the union’s request that someone else represent the Israeli government because of its far-right views.
European diplomats told Haaretz that the meeting of EU representatives was exceptional and aimed at formulating a common policy in response to Ben Gvir’s provocative participation in the event.
Many European ambassadors are concerned that Ben-Gvir will try to use this event to boost his legitimacy on the international stage.
At least two of the ambassadors who will attend the meeting intend to propose a reduction in the level of representation at the ceremony to deputy envoys in order to send a clear signal to Ben Gvir to refuse.
A European official told the newspaper that so far, most countries in Europe and the European Union have sought to work with those considered more moderate in the Israeli government, ignoring far-right elements led by Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who leads the Religious Zionist party.
The diplomat said: “Ben Gvir is forcing the union to stop this approach and react. Israel is forcing European countries to respond to a crisis that no one wants.”
Ben Gvir confirmed on Sunday that he plans to speak at the annual event with EU diplomats.
A statement on his behalf said: “The minister believes that even if the representatives of the union do not support his views … they understand very well that Israel is a democratic country, and in a democracy it is allowed to hear different opinions.”
The sources said that under the rules, Ben Gvir cannot be replaced unless he decides to leave, and it is unlikely that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be able to convince him to do so due to the interruption of direct communication as a result of the ongoing dispute between the two.
And “Europe Day” is the annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe on May 9th to commemorate the Schuman Declaration of 1950, when then-French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman announced his proposal, which is considered the first official document proclaiming the birth of the European Union.
Source: Times of Israel.
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