European Parliamentarians to Sign Declaration Linking Anti-Zionism to Antisemitism

A special conference held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg is set to feature dozens of European lawmakers and leaders from right-wing and conservative parties who will officially align with Israel against sanctions imposed on the country and settlements in Judea and Samaria. The "Patriots for Europe" faction, the third-largest bloc in the European Parliament, is organizing the event. The conference aims to establish a clear European stance supporting Israel, opposing sanctions and boycotts against settlements, and combating rising antisemitism.

Participants, including representatives from parties such as ANO 2011 (Czech Republic), Fidesz (Hungary), the Party for Freedom (Netherlands), the Freedom Party of Austria, and the National Rally (France), are expected to sign a charter adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition of antisemitism. This charter will state that attacks on Israel can be a manifestation of modern antisemitism and will recognize Holocaust crimes while vowing to fight denial and distortion.

The initiative gains particular significance amid recent sanctions and measures targeting Israel and its settlements. MK Ariel Kallner, chair of the Knesset's Committee for Cooperation with the European Parliament, will attend. Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, and Michael Kleiner, president of the Likud tribunal, will send recorded speeches.

Kleiner stated that antisemitism, while often associated with extremist groups, is a growing threat, particularly from radical Islam, which he believes poses a danger to the West. He asserted that sanctions against Jews in Judea and Samaria are antisemitic, constituting a double standard and modern antisemitism. Kleiner also warned that sanctions imposed by countries like the UK on Judea and Samaria could harm tens of thousands of Palestinians employed by Israelis, citing the example of SodaStream's relocation, which led to job losses for Arab workers.

Dagan will express gratitude to the participants, emphasizing a shared fight against a coalition of radical Islamists and progressives, and framing the struggle as one to protect Europe, Israel, and the future of Western civilization against barbarism, de-legitimization, and lies.