Op-Ed video: Israel's alliance with Europe's fascists is the greatest threat to Jewish people
The alliance between Israel and far-right European political parties who demonise Muslims has become more than an act of flirtation, it's become a blossoming relationship, says David Hearst, the editor-in-chief of Middle East Eye.
"Israel has been cultivating links with the European far-right which go well beyond a reaction to the success of those groups in the recent European elections," Hearst said.
"It [Israel] has links with Jordan Bardella, the poster boy of the National Rally in France. Geert Wilders of the Netherlands' Party for Freedom (PVV).
"[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu welcomed Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spain's far-right Vox party, in a visit in May, and even welcomed the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AFD), which has a long track record of Neo-Nazi affiliations and scares the hell out of Germany's Jewish population."
It's a grave mistake to view all of this as mere political opportunism, Hearst said.
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"It's true that Israel saw the European elections as payback time for Spain, Ireland, Norway and Slovenia recognising a Palestinian state but anyone who thinks that these expressions of support by the far-right for Israel are merely rhetorical should look at what is happening."
"This goes beyond a marriage of convenience," he said.
"Israel and the far right have a common Muslim enemy and Israel has become a role model in how to deal with them," he added.
The views expressed in this video belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
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