Dutch leader gets Israel award, backs defense mission

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Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders received the prestigious Jabotinsky Prize for Liberty during his diplomatic visit to Israel, where he demonstrated solidarity with the nation’s ongoing conflict against radical Islamic forces.

The award was presented by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana to Wilders, who leads the Party for Freedom (PVV) and currently holds significant influence in the Dutch government. During his visit, Wilders engaged in high-level meetings with Israeli leadership, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.

Geert Wilders opens up about his time in Israel, and defends its right to exist.

It's insanity how so many people call this man a far right nazi. He is the complete opposite. pic.twitter.com/InAkGjLc51

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— 𝗡𝗶𝗼𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴 ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) August 15, 2024

“This award is a fitting tribute to a man who, for so long, embodied Jabotinsky’s courage and conviction. He has confronted the lies propagated by institutions like the ICC, which distort justice and reward terror. In America, we are seeing President Trump assemble a dream team. Geert brings that same optimism to Europe, where it is needed even more,” Speaker Ohana remarked.

Having spent a year volunteering in the West Bank during his younger days, Wilders has maintained unwavering support for Israel. During his diplomatic mission, he emphasized the crucial importance of West Bank settlements, particularly in the Jordan Valley, describing them as essential for Israel’s survival.

Upon accepting the award, Wilders stated: “This is not the time to be silent, but to stand up and support Israel. After the October 7, 2023 massacre, where 1,200 innocent Jewish lives were lost, the world was shocked, but as so often, unfortunately, only for a short time, after which too many countries, politicians and institutions like the UN and the ICC started bashing Israel for rightfully defending itself and its people against an existential threat.”

🇳🇱👏 The five-step plan of Geert Wilders:

"I have a message for all those Muslims in the Netherlands who do not respect our freedom, our democracy and our core values."

✅ AI Eng Translated + Sub.#AINewsIL #MuslimInvaders #TheWestIsNext #Illegalimmigration #StopTheBoats pic.twitter.com/2e6RfofHgV

— Rubi Yona 💙🇮🇱 רובי יונה (@RubiYona) November 10, 2024

The Dutch politician emphasized that his visit symbolized his enduring commitment to supporting Israel against various militant organizations, including Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and Iran. He expressed concern about growing anti-Israel sentiments, attributing them to both radical Islamic ideology and what he termed as Western self-loathing.

Writing for Breitbart London in October, Wilders advocated for European nations to adopt Israel’s approach to national sovereignty. He proposed that European countries should embrace a form of Zionism to preserve their cultural identities, praising Israel’s determination to maintain its sovereignty while criticizing European elites’ pursuit of supranational governance through the EU.

The Dutch leader criticized the Western left’s opposition to Israel, suggesting that their hostility stems from Israel’s successful demonstration of maintaining national identity while defending its borders. According to Wilders, Israel stands as an example for nations seeking to preserve their cultural heritage and independence.