Israel welcomes Europe's far-right at antisemitism conference

Israel has welcomed European far-right politicians at a conference for antisemitism.

Among those invited to the symposium, which kicked off on Thursday, is a member of Hungary's Fidesz party and France's National Rally (RN), whose co-founder was known for his anti-Semitic comments.

Addressing the conference, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar decried a "new antisemitism" stoked by "a disturbing alliance between the radical progressives on the far-left and Islamist fundamentalism".

"In the name of so-called 'human rights', the progressive movement fell captive to those seeking the destruction of the Jewish people," he said.

Netanyahu is later due to speak, as well as the current RN president, Jordan Bardella, capping an unprecedented trip to Israel by a leader of his party.

Several invitees cancelled their appearances at the conference to protest against the presence of the far right, including Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, the French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levi and Britain’s Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, according to Israeli media.

- Reporting by AFP