'EU tolerates two types of Jews: Those willing to undermine Israel and dead Jews,' minister says

The European Union is an "institution that tolerates two types of Jews: those willing to undermine Israel, and dead Jews," Israel's Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli told Euronews in an exclusive interview, days after the European Commission proposed sanctions on Israel for its ongoing military assault in Gaza.  

During her annual State of the Union address last week, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said that the EU would suspend "bilateral support" for Israel and partially suspend a trade deal in response to what she called a "man-made famine" in Gaza and "a clear attempt" by Israel to "undermine the two-state solution."

Von der Leyen proposed a suspension of "all payments" to Israel, except those destined for the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Centre and other civil society projects.

"The European Union is an institution that pours hundreds of millions into organisations accusing us of genocide and calling for boycotts of Israel, only to launch boycotts itself and label Israeli products based on those very reports," Chikli told Euronews. 

"Supporting Yad Vashem matters to Ursula von der Leyen. Living Jews mean nothing to her."

'I urge every Jew to leave Belgium without delay'

More than 100 European rabbis sent a letter to President Ursula von der Leyen earlier this week, warning her that since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, Europe was encountering "visceral antisemitic hate" and "increased security provisions" were urgently needed.

Earlier this week, in the German city of Flensburg, a shopkeeper caused widespread outrage after he placed a note in his shop window reading: "Jews are banned from here! Nothing personal. No antisemitism. Just can't stand you." 

On Thursday night, a gathering of centre-right politicians in the city of Liège commemorating the death of Jean Gol, a leading Jewish politician, tuned violent with 12 policemen reportedly injured in demonstrations that involved 400 people, many of whom were students who threw firecrackers and rotten apples at the participants, and called them "complicit of genocide" in Gaza.

According to UNIA, Belgium's independent public institution that promotes equality and combats discrimination, 277 people signalled antisemitic acts and 79 investigations were opened in 2024, compared with 59 in 2023.

The European Commission on Friday condemned "those who are importing" the war in Gaza to Europe and will "step up" its protection of Jewish citizens, a Commission spokesperson told Euronews. 

"Jewish people must feel safe across Europe."

But Amichai Chikli told Euronews that for some countries it is "too late." 

"Europe stands at a crossroads: either wage an uncompromising war against radical Islam, or surrender. Belgium has already surrendered; it has no future, no hope, and I urge every Jew to leave that wretched country without delay," he said.

"As for Britain and France, there is room for cautious optimism. It seems the British and French peoples have not yet spoken their last word. The bright spots in Europe today are Hungary and the Czech Republic, united by a sane immigration policy."