A conference focused on “combating antisemitism” was held in Jerusalem on Thursday, with European far-right leaders attending the event organized by the Israeli government. The gathering was noteworthy for its controversial guest list, leading many mainstream Jewish leaders to stay away. This reflects a growing partnership between Israel, a nation established in the aftermath of the Holocaust, and segments of the European far-right, which, according to some critics, have not completely abandoned ties to antisemitism and Nazism from the World War II era.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who heads an ultranationalist administration, has in recent years nurtured strong relationships with far-right populist figures in countries such as Hungary, Brazil, and Argentina. These leaders, including Netanyahu, are seen as drawing significant inspiration from the policies and style of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The conference highlighted the increasingly tense dynamics between Israel and its traditional Western allies, who have expressed growing concern over Israel’s political landscape and its conduct in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israel resumed hostilities earlier this month after breaking the ceasefire with Hamas.
In the wake of the conflict, Jewish communities globally have experienced a surge in antisemitic violence. At the event, Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, delivered a keynote speech wherein he attributed the increase in antisemitism in Europe to issues of migration and Islamism. He characterized Islamism as a destructive force threatening societies not aligned with its ideologies.
David Friedman, the U.S. ambassador to Israel under Trump, also participated in the conference. When asked about Trump’s proposed immigration plan for Gaza, Friedman expressed strong approval, describing the concept as feasible.
The conference saw the attendance of various far-right representatives from nations such as the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Hungary. Bosnian Serb President Milorad Dodik also participated, despite an international arrest warrant request from a Bosnian court over his separatist policies.
Discussions during the event included panels on topics like “How Progressivism Fell Captive to Antisemitism” and “How Radical Islam Fuels Antisemitism in the West.” However, numerous mainstream Jewish figures who had initially agreed to attend withdrew from the event. Among them was Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, a prominent U.S. organization opposing antisemitism.
Other notable cancellations included French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy, Germany’s antisemitism commissioner Felix Klein, and German politician Volker Beck. Additionally, Israeli President Isaac Herzog opted out of the conference, choosing instead to host a separate gathering of Jewish leaders originally scheduled to attend the event, per his office’s statement.