Israeli ambassador meets with France’s Marine Le Pen, extending outreach to Europe’s far-right

The recent meeting between Israeli Ambassador Joshua Zarka and Marine Le Pen, a prominent figure in France's far-right, underscores a significant shift in Israeli foreign policy. This engagement with European nationalist parties, including Le Pen's National Rally, marks a deliberate effort by Israel to build new alliances and strengthen ties across the continent. While the specifics of their discussion remain undisclosed, the very fact of the meeting, confirmed by the Israeli embassy, signals Jerusalem's willingness to engage with political forces that were once considered beyond the pale.

This outreach is not happening in a vacuum. It follows a broader strategy announced by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to end Israel's boycott of far-right parties in several European nations. While Israel maintains a cautious stance towards certain parties, such as Germany's Alternative for Germany, due to historical concerns about antisemitism, the engagement with Le Pen indicates a pragmatic approach to diplomacy. It reflects a recognition that these parties, despite their past controversies, are gaining significant political traction in Europe and that maintaining dialogue is crucial for Israel's interests.

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The meeting, which was not publicly announced by either leader, was confirmed by the Israeli embassy to the French outlet Le Parisien.

The timing of this meeting is particularly noteworthy given the strained diplomatic relations between Israel and France. French President Emmanuel Macron has been a vocal critic of Israel's actions in the Gaza war, even going so far as to formally recognize Palestinian statehood at the UN. Le Pen, in contrast, has often been more supportive of Israel, even criticizing Macron's stance. From our perspective here in Israel, this dynamic presents an opportunity. While Western European leaders often adopt a critical tone towards our security operations, figures like Le Pen offer a different, perhaps more pragmatic, viewpoint. Her past criticisms of Macron's approach suggest a willingness to challenge the prevailing European consensus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is something we value in our international partnerships.

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I find this statement unworthy of the President of the French Republic. He keeps increasing his criticism of Israel, perhaps because he is incapable of providing a solution to facilitate the fight against Islamist fundamentalism.