Before the conflict between Israel and Palestine started in October, many crucial changes were happening in how Europe viewed Israel. Israel is the nation that used to follow a more liberal form of Zionism. It supports the idea of the Jewish state with specific democratic values. But now Israel has changed their perspective. They shifted to a stricter form called religious Zionism. This new approach entirely depends upon religious beliefs. Also, matters are controlled on the basis of these beliefs.
In the past liberal Zionists used religion to solve different complexities. But at this time, a group called Datim Leumi, or just Datim, has taken a more extreme approach. They mixed two different ideas. One is the Zionists’ ideas and the other is traditional Jewish beliefs.
Historian Ilan Pappe says this change began with influential rabbis from the Kook family. However, it is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who has made this shift more noticeable and influential around the world.
The Likud party, which evolved from Vladimir Jabotinsky’s Revisionist Zionism, has made a significant change in Israel’s politics. But the leader of the Likud party, Benjamin Netanyahu, grabbed the strong global support for Israel’s far-right policies. European far-rightists are the main supporters of Netanyahu. At the same time, Western countries also stand in favour of Israel. This support is limited by the idea that peace with the Palestinians should follow certain rules. These rules include preventing Israel’s settlement, accepting a two-state solution and also recognizing Palestinian rights in East Jerusalem. However, the president of Israel refuses to accept all these ideas. Netanyahu made it clear last February by stating, “Everyone knows that I am the one who, for decades, blocked the establishment of a Palestinian State that would endanger our existence.
However, Israel’s religious and far-right Zionist efforts together to block any future discussions about the Palestinian state. They are the strong supporters of the West far-right groups. The fact was revealed when different European countries such as Spain, Norway, and Ireland made an announcement on May 28, to recognize Palestine as a state and many far-right parties strongly opposed this decision. It was the time when the Israel-Palestinian war started.
In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been outspoken against Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. But the far-right responded quickly. Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spain’s far-right Vox party, rushed to Israel to show support. According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Abascal even had an hour-long meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu before leaving on June 2.
It clearly highlights that far-right leaders in Europe never want to accept Israel as a state. Abascal in Spain, Geert Wilders in the Netherlands, and Marion Marechal in France stood against the decision to recognize Palestine as a state. Marechal argues that accepting this decision means supporting an “Islamist state”. And this decision also threatens the existence of Israel’s nation.
Israel and the far-right both have the same views on Muslims and Islam. After 9/11, Netanyahu saw an opportunity to link Israel’s actions against Palestinians to the broader “War on terrorism”. Although the war has ended its long-lasting effect still impacts people’s lives in Western societies, It includes, racism, anti-refugee feelings, and the rise of far-right movements
Israel has shifted its focus from criticizing Arabs to fighting “Islamic fundamentalism” in Palestine and the Middle East. This change has helped Israel form alliances with anti-Muslim groups in Europe. As a result, far-right parties in the European Union have become Israel’s strongest supporters, showing how Israel has cleverly built its influence.
Back in 2017, when Netanyahu criticized Europe. This criticism was due to the fact that Europe was opposing Israel’s poor human rights, illegal settlements, and military occupation. At that time, Netanyahu said that Europe must select between thriving or fading away, echoing a controversial idea that Muslim immigrants might overtake European societies.
The success of this approach was limited. Furthermore, the Gaza war has also hurt Israel’s efforts. The France election results also expressed that supporting Israel can be a risky political movement. Because the far-right in France lost the election and the left wing gained power.
This is just the beginning of a broader struggle for Europe’s future.
Historically, political groups connected to World War II and the Holocaust kept a distance from Israel. However, this separation has decreased, and Israel’s current government is now seen as closely linked to far-right extremist parties in Europe, perhaps even more extreme and violent.
