Remembrance Day: event with Israeli minister Chikli canceled

Brussels – The visit by controversial Israeli Diaspora Minister to the European capital was canceled for “security reasons.” Amichai Chikli was supposed to attend an event at the European Parliament related to Holocaust Remembrance Day. However, his inclusion in the program sparked controversy among families of hostages held by Hamas because of the minister’s opposition to the ceasefire in Gaza. Following the news of his absence, the organizers decided to call off the event.

On Jan. 24, a media controversy erupted over the invitation extended by MEPs of the European People’s Party (EPP) Lukas Mandl and Andrey Kovatchev to Amichai Chikli, the Tel Aviv Diaspora Minister, as a keynote speaker at an event on anti-Semitic hate.

However, yesterday evening (Jan. 26), Chikli said he had received “instructions” from the national security apparatus that forced him to cancel his participation. Chikli also said he regretted that “the European capital, Brussels, has become an unsafe place for Jews and Israelis.”

הצטערתי לקבל הערב הנחיה מגורמי ביטחון לבטל את השתתפותי באירועי יום השואה הבינ״ל בפרלמנט האירופי. מצער שבירת אירופה בריסל נעשתה למקום לא בטוח עבור יהודים וישראלים.

– עמיחי שיקלי – Amichai Chikli (@AmichaiChikli) January 26, 2025

However, EPP press officers confirmed to Eunews that “the meeting will not take place after Minister Chikli’s cancellation.” The Israeli cabinet member’s participation in the event, scheduled for tomorrow evening (Jan. 28), had sparked strong reactions from 41 relatives of hostages captured in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks and 32 Jewish community leaders in the Diaspora.

They added that the minister was “an inappropriate representative,” as he opposed the Israeli cabinet’s approval of the historic ceasefire agreement with Hamas – the cornerstone of which is the gradual release of hostages – and publicly expressed support for several members of the extreme European right.