Israel’s election campaign hasn’t officially begun, but international forces are already working behind the scenes to influence local public opinion. The European Union has ramped up its political involvement inside Israel, crossing what critics call, “red lines.”
EU Funding for Left-Wing Groups
The EU is providing full funding for political workshops and conferences organized by organizations identified with the far left. Among the groups listed: “Looking the Occupation in the Eye,” “Rise Up Israel,” and the “Partnership for Peace” affiliated with the Hadash party. The central goal of these activities, according to the report, is shaping Israeli public opinion from within as preparation for the election campaign.
“Murder Machine” Conspiracy Theories at EU-Funded Conferences
At a recent political conference (webinar), harsh statements were made against the State of Israel. One speaker at the conference claimed Israel is using the war to prove the effectiveness of “its lethal weapons,” and added an economic conspiracy theory: “It’s clear to me that what drives this murder machine is the desire to conquer the world economy… we’re seeing the shekel strengthen and these dynamics of war and the war economy taking over.”
Channel 14 reached out to the European Union for comment. An EU source said this isn’t an attempt at interference but rather legitimate support. But when all the money flows to one side of the political map, the answer is clear: this is political interference.
Shay Glick, CEO of advocacy group B’Tsalmo, said: “The reality in which the European Union interferes in everything done in Israel—in elections, in settlement, in state issues, and even funds first aid courses for anarchists—is a red line. The State of Israel must make clear to the European Union what it’s allowed to do in Israel and especially what it’s forbidden to do. It’s forbidden to interfere in the sovereign affairs of the State of Israel. I call on my friend Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to urgently summon the EU ambassador to Israel and make clear to him that what was will be no more, and any similar interference will meet with a decisive response from the State of Israel.”