Israel’s Likud party has joined the European Parliament’s right-wing alliance, Patriots.eu, as an observer member. The unanimous decision was announced on February 7 at the group’s congress in Madrid, taking effect immediately.
Key right-wing figures attended the summit, including Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, France’s Marine Le Pen, the Netherlands’ Geert Wilders, and Italy’s Matteo Salvini. Likud, Israel’s dominant right-wing party with 32 seats in the Knesset, was represented by Ariel Bulshtein, its Head of International Relations and Netanyahu’s adviser. It is the first non-European party to gain observer status in Patriots.eu.
The alliance expressed excitement over the new partnership, stating on X that it aims to strengthen shared values of democracy, freedom, and cultural heritage. Austria’s Freedom Party welcomed the move, claiming it further discredits narratives about Israel’s international isolation.
While critics, including leftist and Palestinian activists, dismissed the alliance, others speculated it signals shifting political tides. Austrian liberal commentator Christoph Hofer suggested Likud’s membership might hint at an imminent power shift in Europe.
