FPÖ leaders forge closer ties with Israel's Likud party in Strasbourg
A meeting in Strasbourg brought together FPÖ chief Herbert Kickl, EU lawmaker Harald Vilimsky and Likud representatives, who praised the Austrian party as a friend of Israel and the Jewish people.
At a Strasbourg conference titled “Islamism and Antisemitism: Threats to Europe’s Freedom,” FPÖ head Herbert Kickl and EU lawmaker Harald Vilimsky met with Likud political director Ariel Bulshtein and MP Ariel Kellner. The Likud delegation expressed gratitude for the Austrian party’s backing of Israel and the Jewish community, highlighting a months-long outreach effort led by Vilimsky. Participants also included rabbis and right-wing MEPs from Hungary’s Fidesz and Spain’s Vox.
Kickl linked the Hamas attack to Islamist parallel societies in Europe while stressing he does not intend to condemn all Muslims. He warned the EU for not clearly distinguishing aggressors from victims and vowed that a future Austrian government would be a “faithful and unwavering friend of Israel.” Vilimsky described the cooperation as a “friendship axis” and suggested the event marks the start of a broader partnership.
Why it matters
The meeting signals a potential realignment of European right-wing parties with Israel, affecting diplomatic dynamics in the EU.
How this story developed
- Sep 1 EU debates ban on settlement products as Israeli forces raze West Bank homes
- Sep 9 The sanctions were announced immediately before the start of Rosh Hashanah.
- Sep 9 Israel closed the British consulate in East Jerusalem and barred twelve British nationals after the UK’s settlement trade ban.
- Sep 9 Netanyahu faces mounting internal and international pressure ahead of the October Knesset election as the United Kingdom prepares sanctions on West Bank goods.
- Sep 9 Eight Arab and Muslim states publicly praised the United Kingdom’s ban on settlement products.
- Sep 10 Oscar-winning Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor will premiere their new documentary "NAZA" about Gaza civilian deaths at the Venice Film Festival.
- Sep 10 Israeli opposition parties offered no substantive response to the UK sanctions.
- Sep 10 Naza was added to the Venice Film Festival line‑up only weeks before the event concludes.
- Sep 11 Golan has filed a defamation lawsuit against Sara Netanyahu.
- Sep 12 Eisenkot’s Yashar party entered the race with a poll showing 23 projected seats.
- Sep 13 US activists created a whistle‑blower hotline and warned firms could be targeted under anti‑BDS laws.
- Sep 14 British foreign secretary expected to announce a trade ban on settlement‑linked goods.
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