Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, has delivered a stark warning to Europe: Spain and Ireland have undergone a dramatic transformation, now ranking as “the most hostile states regarding the state of Israel and the Jewish community”. In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Chikli drew a direct line between these governments’ anti-Israel stances and a surge in antisemitic incidents that has swept across the continent since the October 7 Hamas massacre and Israel’s military response.
A new Israeli government report documents a sixfold increase in antisemitic incidents in some European countries in 2024 alone, with Spain and Ireland singled out for their role in fueling this hatred. Both nations have formally recognized a Palestinian state and have taken legal and diplomatic steps against Israel, including Spain’s decision to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) case accusing Israel of war crimes in Gaza. Chikli condemned these moves as not only hostile to Israel but also dangerous for Jewish communities, warning that “selective criticism of Israel and abuse of the language of human rights” emboldens antisemites and legitimizes Jew-hatred.
Chikli was especially critical of Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who, during Holocaust Remembrance Day, focused his remarks on Gaza and accused Israel of war crimes. Chikli called this “violent antisemitism led by a head of state,” arguing that such rhetoric, particularly on a day meant to honor the memory of the Holocaust, is deeply offensive and inflammatory. Spain, for its part, has repeatedly rejected Israel’s accusations of antisemitism, insisting that criticism of Israeli policy is protected speech and that antisemitism is outlawed under Spanish law. However, Israel’s new “State of Antisemitism Report” places both Spain and Ireland in a category of countries that “enable antisemitism through their selective criticism of Israel.”
The diplomatic fallout has been swift and severe. Israel has closed its embassy in Dublin, citing Ireland’s “extreme anti-Israel policies,” and recalled its ambassador after Ireland recognized a Palestinian state and backed South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the ICJ. Spanish officials have also called for increased EU pressure on Israel and greater support for Palestinian institutions.
Chikli’s remarks reflect growing frustration in Jerusalem with European leaders who, in Israel’s view, have abandoned the fight against antisemitism in favor of appeasing anti-Israel sentiment. The report also criticizes French President Emmanuel Macron for what it calls “moral ambiguity,” noting that his recent statements have legitimized antisemitic rhetoric from the far-left in France and undermined the sense of security for French Jews.
As antisemitic attacks and anti-Israel demonstrations continue to rise across Europe, Chikli’s warning is clear: governments that demonize Israel and ignore the impact of their rhetoric on Jewish communities bear responsibility for the resurgence of Jew-hatred.