EU cancels Israel event over far-right minister's plan to attend

EU cancels Israel event over far-right minister's plan to attend

EU cancels Europe Day diplomatic event in Israel over the planned participation of the far-right Israeli minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir. EU ambassadors were taken by surprise when the Israeli Government Secretariat put forward Mr Ben-Gvir's name. The EU said it didn't want to "offer a platform" to someone whose views contradicted its values.

The Israeli government's designated representative, Mr Ben-Gvir, insisted he would give the customary speech at the ceremony. Several EU representatives threatened not to attend if Ben-Gvir participated in the event.

What impact will the EU's decision to cancel the diplomatic event for Europe Day have on EU-Israel relations?