Israel courts Europe's extrema derecha amid growing unease
Facing mounting international isolation over the Gaza war, Israel's government under Benjamin Netanyahu is courting Europe's extrema derecha for diplomatic cover—even parties with antisemitic pasts. The strategy is winning vocal allies from France to Austria, yet it is unsettling Jewish leaders and former Israeli diplomats who warn the pivot damages Israel's values and reputation abroad.
Key Takeaways
- Netanyahu's government is deepening ties with Europe's extrema derecha as criticism of the Gaza war intensifies.
- Israel's antisemitism minister defended French RN leader Jordan Bardella after Mediapart reported antisemitic writings attributed to him.
- Jerusalem is normalizing ties with Austria's FPÖ and courting hard-right figures in Sweden, Spain and the UK; Germany's AfD remains sidelined for now.
- Ex-diplomats and some Jewish leaders warn the pivot harms Israel's values, reputation and diaspora communities.
- Analysts say the outreach aims to block a European consensus against Israel ahead of Israel's 27 October elections.
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Why is Israel embracing Europe's extrema derecha now?
According to RFI reporting via AFP from Jerusalem, Israel faces growing isolation internationally. In response to criticism of its handling of the Gaza war, Netanyahu's government accuses detractors of stoking hatred against Jews while showing conciliation toward political leaders who back it.
Azriel Bermant of the Prague Institute of International Relations argues the outreach also seeks to prevent a unified European stance against Israel. He cites years of ties with Hungary's Viktor Orbán, who backed Israel and blocked EU measures until his electoral defeat in April—even as Orbán deployed antisemitic stereotypes against philanthropist George Soros.
Which far-right figures has Jerusalem courted?
After Mediapart published revelations about antisemitic writings attributed to Jordan Bardella, president of France's National Rally, Israeli minister Amichai Chikli defended him on X. Chikli called Bardella—seen as a possible prime minister if Marine Le Pen wins France's 2027 presidential race—"one of the clearest voices in Europe against Hamas," noting Bardella's visit to sites of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack.
Netanyahu's government, described as among the most right-wing since Israel's founding in 1948, has also moved to normalize relations with Austria's Freedom Party (FPÖ), founded by former Nazis. Officials have courted extrema derecha leaders in Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom around shared concerns on Islam and immigration. Israel has likewise shifted toward hard-right, pro-Israel leaders elected in Argentina and Colombia. Only Germany's AfD remains outside this strategic turn for now.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar recently urged Reform UK's leader to oppose Labour government sanctions on products from Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank. Some ministers have also disparaged British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, the son of Jewish refugees and a sanctions advocate.
Why does the strategy cause discomfort at home and abroad?
Former Israeli ambassador to Berlin Jeremy Issacharoff says Europe's extrema derecha seeks a kind of "kosher certificate" to distance itself from a toxic antisemitic legacy. He sees benefit for those parties but, for Israel, "an attack on its values and its international reputation." He argues Israel should first weigh the impact on Jewish communities, especially in France and Austria.
In the UK, some Jewish leaders were dismayed by far-right activist Tommy Robinson's visit to Israel, where his anti-Islam positions were applauded. An opinion piece in CLM24 likewise framed Netanyahu's bonds with parties descended from Nazi-era movements as "strange alliances" glued together by shared hostility—echoing the broader unease the outreach has stirred.
A former Israeli ambassador to Europe, speaking anonymously to AFP, urged more pragmatism: governments swing left and right, and aligning with the extrema derecha can leave Israel permanently "labeled." Bermant expects Israel's posture could shift if Netanyahu's coalition loses the 27 October legislative elections, even if rivals would not fully break with figures such as Le Pen who may yet take power.