08/05/2023 (Agence Europe) – The EU delegation in Israel announced on Monday 8 May the cancellation of its diplomatic reception to celebrate Europe Day on 9 May, due to the announced presence of the controversial Israeli Minister for National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir. “We have decided to cancel the diplomatic reception, as we do not want to offer a platform to someone whose views contradict the values the EU stands for”, the delegation explained in a tweet. Earlier in the day, Member States and the EU had consulted on how to respond to this presence. “We do not endorse the political views of Mr Ben-Gvir and his party, because they are in stark contradiction with all the values and principles that the EU stands for and believes in”, the European External Action Service spokesperson said. (CG)