#Romania / #Israel’s #Chikli has yet to meet a neo-Nazi he doesn't like.

Calin #Georgescu, a previously obscure far-right candidate dubbed the "TikTok Messiah," has emerged as the surprise leader in Romania's first round of presidential elections, sparking controversy and concern. Georgescu, who gained prominence through an aggressive social media campaign, has a documented history of praising World War II-era Romanian fascist leaders Corneliu Zelea Codreanu and Marshal Ion Antonescu, who were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Romanian #Jews during the #Holocaust.

Turns out Israel's Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli recently held phone conversations with Georgescu. The reported communication between Chikli and Georgescu raises serious questions about Israeli diplomatic engagement with far-right European politicians who trivialize or praise perpetrators of the @Holocaust.

The point of convergence between #Israel's current far-right government figures like Chikli and European far-right parties is their shared anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies. This practical alliance, despite the historical #antisemitism of these @European groups, appears to be based on this single shared prejudice.

https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2024-12-01/ty-article/.premium/romanias-far-right-tiktok-messiah-the-dangerous-rise-of-a-fan-of-nazi-collaborators/00000193-7eba-d49a-a797-7ebf70240000

or
Http://www.archive.is/1tPOX

@israel
@palestine
#IsraelOccupation #Europe #FarRight #Election #Fascism

#Israeli Minister Discussed Recruiting Black Cube to Spy on American Students

Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli, who heads the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and the “Combat Against Antisemitism,” has come under scrutiny following revelations of a meeting with the CEO of private intelligence firm #BlackCube. The meeting explored potential surveillance operations against Students for Justice in #Palestine (#SJP), an organization active on U.S. college campuses.

While the proposed operation did not materialize, the consideration of covert intelligence activities against U.S. citizens on American soil has raised serious concerns about potential violations of U.S. sovereignty and damage to U.S.-Israel relations.

Adding to the controversy, recent reports have highlighted Minister Chikli's growing associations with far-right and ultra-conservative groups across Europe. He has been a featured speaker at several controversial conferences, including:

1. The upcoming #Europa Viva 24 conference in #Madrid, hosted by Vox, a Spanish ultra-right party accused of welcoming neo-Nazis and Holocaust deniers.

2. CPAC #Hungary, where he appeared alongside figures known for far-right views and conspiracy theories.

3. A "National Conservatism" conference in Brussels, where he praised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a leader criticized for using antisemitic tropes.

#Chikli has also met with members of the "Sweden Democrats, a party with neo-Nazi roots that Israel has historically avoided formal ties with.

These associations have sparked debate about the appropriate role of Israel's Diaspora Affairs Ministry and its approach to combating #antisemitism while aligning with far-right groups. A recent report from Tel Aviv University's Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry has even called for the ministry to be dismantled, citing a lack of vision and relevant experience.

https://www.haaretz.co.il/tmr/allnews/2024-08-07/ty-article/.highlight/00000191-2843-d5e8-a397-fedbb20f0000 or https://www.archive.is/p5064

See also https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-05-16/ty-article/.premium/neo-nazi-curious-champions-of-israel-diaspora-minister-heads-to-spains-far-right-confab/0000018f-8192-d7f9-a5ff-b5f6d7fc0000 or https://www.archive.is/dEhOd

#Politics #Spying #Fascism #Students