Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen announced that he would fly to Brussels on Tuesday to meet several EU leaders, including European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, after previously stating that he wasn't welcome in Israel.
Israel wants to open a new page in relations, eyeing to secure European support against Iran and calming tensions in the Middle Eastern.
Political sources in Tel Aviv said Cohen received signals from Europe that made him rush to Brussels to improve relations, namely from the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Von der Leyen had angered Palestinians after she praised Israel’s democracy in comments to mark the 75th anniversary of Israel's foundation.
In a video message posted by the EU embassy in Israel, von der Leyen paid tribute to Israel as "a vibrant democracy in the heart of the Middle East," adding: "You have made the desert bloom."
Cohen is also scheduled to meet the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the Union Commissioner for Neighborhood Affairs, Oliver Varhelyi.
According to the sources, Cohen will try to change their views that are opposed to Israel’s contested judicial overhaul. He also intends to focus on influencing European positions on Iran.
A diplomatic source in the Foreign Ministry said it has become clear that Iran is seeking nuclear armament, proceeding with its plan for hegemony in the Middle East, and devoting extraordinary efforts to amplify its military arsenal and its arms.
Cohen aims to ensure that the EU would take a tougher stance on Iran's repeated violations of its nuclear commitments before June's meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors.
The FM expects European officials to ask him difficult questions about Israeli practices in the Palestinian territories, especially in settlement expansion.
Borrell is also expected to address the issue of his visit to the region, calling on Israel to revoke its decision to impede his trip.
The follow-up committee for National and Islamic Forces in Palestine had condemned von der Leyen's praise of Israel.
In a statement, they said her comments align with the Israeli narrative that erases the Palestinian people and denies their deep roots in the land and their inalienable right to self-determination.
The committee called on the European Union to assume responsibility and clarify its position on von der Leyen's statements.
It wondered whether Western democracy and modernity mean it is acceptable to occupy the lands of others, kill and displace its people, and establish an apartheid regime.
