Israel Accuses EU of Masking Antisemitism as Anti-Zionism
Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sharren Haskel, has raised serious concerns about what she describes as a worrying shift in attitudes toward Israel. She claims that the European Union (EU) is using anti-Zionism as a “socially acceptable mask” to target the Jewish state. This statement follows the EU’s recent sanctions against several Israeli civil society organizations that oppose Palestinian statehood.
Haskel told reporters, “We are seeing a trend where old forms of antisemitism are now directed at our nationhood. What was once targeted at individual Jews is now aimed at our right to exist as a state.” She stressed that political moves against Israel often lead to broader attacks on Jewish life worldwide.
The EU’s actions involved sanctions against four Israeli organizations, accusing them of supporting “settler violence” and undermining a future Palestinian state. Regavim, one of the groups sanctioned, criticized the EU’s decision, calling it an infringement of Israeli sovereignty.
Regavim’s Director of International Division, Naomi Kahn, explained their work, saying, “We focus on legal advocacy and analyzing policies, often taking matters to the courts to address where Israel’s policies may be lacking.” She expressed outrage at the EU’s interference in what she sees as Israel’s internal matters.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) asserted that extremist settlers and their supporters are linked to violence and human rights violations in the West Bank. They claim their sanctions target entities that facilitate these actions.
Kahn responded to the EU’s claims, focusing on a controversial school built in Area C, which she described as an unauthorized construction on Israeli state land. Further, she mentioned that the school posed safety risks and highlighted the EU’s funding support for projects that violate Israeli laws.
Under the Oslo Accords from 1993, the West Bank is divided into three zones, assigning varying degrees of control to Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Kahn claims that the PA is intentionally pushing for unlawful developments in Area C, which is fully controlled by Israel.
Regavim reported that around 100 unauthorized schools exist in Area C and suggested that the PA is utilizing these structures to exert control over the area. Additionally, a study estimates about 103,000 unauthorized structures built by Arab residents across the West Bank.
In response to the EU’s actions, Israel’s cabinet has approved measures to counter the PA’s influence in disputed territories. The resolution denies the legal standing of any PA initiative that aims to establish a land registry in Area C.
Haskel critiqued the EU’s actions, stating that they ignore existing agreements and attempt to illegally change the situation on the ground. She noted that while some individuals in any society may break the law, these cases represent a tiny fraction of the larger population.
Importantly, Haskel emphasized the differences between Israeli residents and terrorist organizations like Hamas, condemning any false equivalence made between the two. She claimed this perspective diminishes the real threats posed by terrorism while politicizing the actions of law-abiding citizens.
As of now, the EU has not commented further on the matter.
