EU Ambassador Shares Personal Impact of Israel Conflict and Condemns Rising Antisemitism in Europe

Michael Mann, the European Union Ambassador to Israel since September 2025, recently recounted his personal experience amid the recent security escalation in Israel. His daughter was born in Israel in mid-February, and just nine days later, the "Roaring Lion" operation began, forcing his family to sleep in their home shelter every night for nearly a month. Mann expressed admiration for the resilience and composure of Israelis during the crisis, highlighting how people in Tel Aviv seamlessly return to daily life despite frequent air raid sirens.

In a podcast interview with "The Ambassador's Room," Mann also shared lighter personal anecdotes, such as his challenges adapting to Israeli driving and his fondness for local cuisine, including tomatoes, Shabbat fish, and falafel. He noted that his favorite Hebrew word is "yofi" (meaning "beauty" or "great").

Addressing the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across Europe since October 7, Mann condemned these acts as "shameful, embarrassing, and unacceptable." He emphasized that while criticism of Israeli policy is legitimate, it must not be conflated with hatred or discrimination against Jewish people, describing perpetrators as "ignorant and racist." Mann highlighted the EU's ten-year strategy to combat antisemitism, enhance security for Jewish institutions, and support Jewish life in Europe.

On the political front, Mann reiterated the EU's commitment to a two-state solution, envisioning a secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state. He stressed that Hamas, designated a terrorist organization, should have no role in Gaza's governance or security, advocating for its complete disarmament and eventual Palestinian Authority control over the territory, contingent on necessary reforms.