Picture (L-R): Ambassador Veldkamp, Ambassador Pimor and Professor Afshin Ellian (picture by Kobi Wolf)

Last week, the Israel Council on Foreign Relations and Ambassador of the Netherlands to Israel, Mr. Caspar Veldkamp, jointly hosted a lecture by Dutch Professor Afshin Ellian at the Dutch Ambassador’s residence. The lecture  titled “The future of Europe Between Europhilia and Europhobia” which is a plea for a more pragmatic approach to the EU. Ambassador Avi Primor, president of the ICFR, also took part in the debate.

Afshin Ellian (born 27 February 1966 in Tehran, Iran) is a Dutch professor of law, philosopher, poet, and critic of Islam. His frequent plea is that people in the West are too often unaware of the unique value of the democratic constitutional state and are thus not defensive enough towards threats from political Islam, which he refers to as ‘islamofacism’. Due to threats on his life tied to such criticism, he is currently heavily guarded.’

Ambassador of the Netherlands to Israel, Mr. Caspar Veldkamp said: “Though Professor Ellian’s opinions on Europe and Islam may not be considered mainstream by some, as Ambassador of the Netherlands I hold freedom of speech in very high esteem. Especially in times when the European Union may no longer be taken for granted, I find it important to also give a podium for more critical voices. Just like Israelis –  as the saying goes “Two Israelis, three opinions”  - I too love a vivid debate and hope this event will serve as a platform for us to speak freely on the pros and cons of the European Union and to share ideas and learn from each other.”