Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli has canceled his planned visit to Brussels this week after a warning by the Shin Bet (ISA) intelligence agency.
“I regretted receiving instructions from security officials this evening to cancel my participation in the International Holocaust Remembrance Day events at the European Parliament,” Chikli said in a statement on Sunday evening.
“Unfortunately, the capital of Europe has become an unsafe place for Jews and Israelis.”
Chikli was expected to speak on Tuesday (Jan. 28) at an event organized by two lawmakers from the center-right European People’s Party (EPP).
The Prime Minister’s Office said in an announcement that Chikli was ordered to cancel his trip “in light of concrete warnings and based on directives from security officials.”
No details were provided about the nature of the threat.
European Jewish Association strategic director Tal Rabina expressed regret that Chikli was forced to cancel his trip. The EJA supported the organization of the event at which the minister was to speak.
“The fact that in 2025, an Israeli minister was forced to cancel his visit to a Western European country for security reasons is more evidence than anything else that all the leaders’ “never again” declarations are hollow,” Rabina said.
