Haim Regev, Israel’s ambassador to the EU, has criticized the bloc’s excessive focus on Israel’s human rights record, accusing EU states of undermining European influence in the Middle East and benefiting terrorists.
Regev, in an interview with Politico published on Wednesday, claimed that some EU states have an “obsession” with Israel’s human rights record and singled out Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia as the most unfair. He also accused France, Germany, and the UK of making statements that play into the hands of Hamas and anti-Semitic groups.
The envoy described Israel as a “dream” neighbor for the EU due to its democratic values, absence of migration issues, and protection of LGBTQ+ rights. He emphasized that Israel is the only player in the region that serves directly the interests of the EU, stating that EU attempts to pressure Israel over Gaza would “never work” and damage relations.
Regev warned that attempts by EU states to exert pressure on Israel over Gaza “will never work” and would only damage relations and weaken the bloc’s influence in the Middle East. He noted that moves to suspend Israel’s participation in EU research programs or cut trade would make it difficult to see the EU “playing any role” in the region in the future.
The Gaza war, which began in 2023, has resulted in significant casualties and humanitarian crises, with the UN warning of a potential famine affecting over 2 million people. The envoy also expressed concerns about the growing anti-Semitism in Europe, noting that being a Jew is “not safe” in the continent.