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Chief Rabbi withdraws from Israeli antisemitism conference over far-right participation

Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister had invited controversial figures from European political parties

March 17, 2025 15:41
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Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis has cancelled his participation at an Israeli government-organised conference on antisemitism over concerns about the attendance of far-right European politicians. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
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Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis has cancelled his participation at an Israeli government-organised conference on antisemitism over concerns about the attendance of far-right populist European politicians.

Lord John Mann, Professor David Hirsh, French philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy and several German officials also cancelled their participation in the Israeli government-organised conference on combating antisemitism following concerns over the inclusion of far-right European political figures on the guest list.

The event, scheduled for March 26 and 27, is being organised by Israel’s Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli.

There had been growing concerns about conference invitations sent to prominent far-right political figures including Jordan Bardella, president of the far-right French National Rally party; Marion Marechal, a far-right French Member of the European Parliament; and Hermann Tertsch, a far-right Spanish Member of the European Parliament.