Israel Establishes Contact with European Right-Wing Parties to Strengthen Relations

In a significant shift, Israel's Foreign Ministry has established diplomatic contact with three European right-wing parties that were previously not engaged by the country. The parties in question—France's National Rally, Sweden's Sweden Democrats, and Spain's Vox—have all been subjects of extensive deliberation within Israel's Foreign Ministry. This move follows directives from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, aiming to explore stronger ties with these political entities.

The decision to initiate communication with these far-right parties comes after months of discussions and a detailed study commissioned by former Foreign Minister Israel Katz. The study examined various criteria including these parties' stance on Israel, their positions regarding the Jewish community, and their rejection of antisemitism and Nazi ties.

A senior Foreign Ministry official told The Jerusalem Post that this was not a covert dialogue, but rather the outcome of careful deliberation. Sa'ar subsequently instructed Israeli embassies in Paris, Madrid, and Stockholm to inform heads of Jewish organizations about the decision and coordinate accordingly.

The move has sparked conversations on the broader implications of engaging with these political groups. While some may question Israel's diplomatic strategy, others see it as an opportunity to strengthen Israel's international alliances, particularly as European politics shift.

In parallel, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed support for Germany's new conservative leader, Friedrich Merz, congratulating him on his electoral success and reiterating Israel's commitment to fostering closer ties with Germany.