European Jewish leaders warn Knesset election could trigger new EU sanctions, surge in antisemitism

European Jewish Congress President Ariel Muzicant warned that Israel faces increased EU sanctions and a surge in antisemitism depending on the results of the upcoming Israeli election. In an interview with the Jerusalem Post, Muzicant said that Jewish leaders have been working quietly with friendly European foreign ministers to block planned sanctions driven by EU member states such as Spain and Ireland. He stated that several European countries want to strip Israel of its preferred trade status with the European Community and cut off participation in major academic research funding programs like Horizon 2020, which has historically injected hundreds of millions of euros into Israeli research institutions. Muzicant cautioned that this diplomatic reprieve is fragile and comes with strict caveats regarding the composition of the next Israeli government, noting that European officials have signaled that if far-right politicians are in the next government and settler violence continues, there will be dramatic sanctions. He pointed to recent incidents including attacks on a Washington Post photojournalist and a French mayor in the West Bank, saying these images make it very difficult for Israel's friends in Europe to defend the country. Muzicant warned that political pressure on Israel will immediately spill over onto Jewish communities across Europe, with anti-Israel protests turning into physical attacks on Jewish-owned businesses and synagogues.