Israel's president to visit Brussels, address EU parliament
The upcoming visit of President Isaac Herzog to Brussels at the end of January could help establish a dialogue between the far-right Israeli government and European leadership.
PARIS — European sources told Al-Monitor on Friday that Israel’s President Isaac Herzog will travel to Brussels on Jan. 25 for a two-day visit. It will be the first Israeli official visit to the European Union headquarters since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took office, and comes at a time of uncertainty in the relationship.
Herzog is set to address the European Parliament on Jan. 26, marking the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which officially falls on Jan. 27. Herzog will meet with heads of the European Commission and other senior European officials. The president is also expected to meet with the leadership of the Belgian Jewish community.
Herzog will be arriving to Brussels just two days after a visit there by Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh. The premier was invited by European Union Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, on the occasion of the monthly meeting of European foreign ministers. As he was invited by Borrell and not by the Swedish EU presidency, Shtayyeh will be hosted for lunch with the ministers for what has been described as an informal exchange of views.
The Palestine lobbying group within the European Parliament is expected to meet Jan. 22 at the parliament’s other building in Strasbourg, France. The French Foreign Ministry told Al-Monitor that Shtayyeh is not expected to stop in Strasbourg on his way to Brussels.
