Foreign Ministry establishes contact with ‘right wing’ European parties – Israel News

The Foreign Ministry will engage in dialogue with the three main far-right parties in France, Sweden, and Spain, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said on Monday.

The three parties are France’s National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, the Sweden Democrats, and the Spanish Vox party.

The decision was made following a series of ministerial discussions, during which it was determined that these parties do not have antisemitic or anti-Israel elements. However, Israel will still refrain from engaging with parties tainted by antisemitism, such as the Austrian Freedom Party.

Discussions began in recent weeks between Foreign Ministry officials and representatives from these parties, marking a 180-degree shift in policy. Israel has consistently avoided engaging with far-right parties due to allegations of and ties to antisemitism.

However, given the rise of these parties in recent years, the Foreign Ministry began deliberations on the matter last year under then-minister Israel Katz. Sa’ar now finalized the decision.

Classified by Israel as antisemitic

The National Rally had been officially classified by Israel as antisemitic, partly due its former leader, Jean-Marie Le Pen, who was widely considered antisemitic and infamously referred to gas chambers as a “mere detail of history.”

The rise of the party has elicited mixed reactions from French Jews. Some have migrated more to the center-left parties as a result, while others insist that the current French political climate is unique and requires a different response.

“There are those who argue that the current party leader is different,” said Tzvi Amar, head of the Federation of Jewish Communities in southern France. “She [Le Pen] and other party leaders support Israel, condemn Hamas, and even assist the Jewish community.”

Amar emphasized though that the issue remains controversial.

While the main Jewish organization in France, the CRIF, still does not invite the party to its events, there is a recognition among some French Jews that today’s National Rally openly presents itself as a friend of Israel.

“The community is not unified on this matter,” Amar explained. “There are differing opinions, and some still believe that they are far-right extremists and that Israel should not engage with them.”

Jonathan-Simon Sellem, a French-Israeli journalist, writer, and politician, said the National Rally has significantly evolved in its stance on Israel.

“Since October 7, the party’s support for Israel has been remarkable,” he said. “Its representatives in the National Assembly have consistently stood by Israel, condemned Hamas and Hezbollah, and called for the unconditional release of the hostages. Some lawmakers even wore the yellow pin advocating for the hostages’ release.”

He added that the French community in Israel is generally pleased with this development – not because they necessarily vote for the party – but because they understand what is happening in France.

“Labeling the party or its leaders as ‘persona non grata’ is no longer tenable under these circumstances. Even the renowned Nazi hunter Serge Klarsfeld has stated that the party is no longer antisemitic – and is far more sympathetic toward Jews than the French far Left.

“Of course, one does not need to agree with everything they seek to implement, but their major role in French politics, along with their strong support for Israel and their firm denunciation of Hamas, compels us to make this initial contact,” he said.