The European Union finalized on Wednesday its roster of commissioners who will oversee all European internal and external affairs for the next five years beginning next month. These pivotal appointments, selected through a phased process over recent weeks, will function as ministerial positions overseeing various aspects of governance and daily operations in EU member states, while also impacting non-member nations maintaining strategic partnerships with the union.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, securing her second term, achieved another victory as all 26 of her commissioner nominations received parliamentary confirmation, though by slim margins, for five-year terms.
Key appointments include Kaja Kallas, Estonia's prime minister, who will next week step into the role of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. She is expected to maintain the EU's firm stance against Russia while working to rebuild relations with the American administration under President Donald Trump. Kallas succeeds Spain's Josep Borrell, who emerged from the center-left political spectrum and was known for his contentious relationship with Israel.
Former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa was elected as European Council President, replacing Belgium's Charles Michel next week. Among new commissioners is Hungary's Oliver Varhelyi, overseeing health and animal rights – areas particularly relevant to Jewish communities regarding circumcision and ritual slaughter. Varhelyi's appointment, alongside Italy's Raffaele Fitto, faced opposition from left-wing parliamentary groups who rejected their nominations due to their strong conservative credentials.
However, these appointments secured backing from strengthened right-wing factions, who managed to establish a majority without center-left support, including from the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), a party that experienced substantial growth in recent elections under Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's leadership. Another significant appointment is Belgium's Hadja Lahbib, who is participating in an international peace conference advocating a two-state solution, despite Israel's reservations.
Europe's rightward shift
The distribution of positions reflects the EU's broader political shift rightward, with each of the 27 member states allocated one commissioner. Of the 27 commissioners, including the Commission President and 26 national representatives, the center-right European People's Party (EPP) secured 14 positions, while the centrist Liberal party, which saw significant losses in recent elections, obtained five seats. The center-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) received just four positions.
The European Conservatives and Reformists secured one commissioner position. Despite President von der Leyen's aspirations for gender parity, the final composition includes 16 male and 11 female commissioners.
The Israeli and Jewish perspective
From Jewish and Israeli viewpoints, the departure of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell likely represents positive change. Israeli diplomatic sources who worked with him frequently characterized him as hostile, noting his consistent criticism of Israel. Even in his final days in office, he continues to advance initiatives that Israel opposes.
Beyond his daily criticisms of Israel, Borrell is currently organizing a second meeting in Brussels, involving approximately 100 global leaders and representatives, aimed at advancing a two-state peace plan.
While Israel and the US have opted not to participate in Borrell's peace initiatives, he continues efforts to establish a personal legacy of advocating for Palestinian interests. During the conflicts in southern and northern Israel, though Borrell condemned Hezbollah and Hamas and promoted sanctions against Iran for supporting Russia's war against Ukraine, he also advanced severe measures against Israel. These were largely blocked through diplomatic efforts by Israel's mission in Brussels, led by Ambassador to the EU Haim Regev, with support from the Foreign Ministry and ongoing dialogue with Israel's EU allies.
Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis, explained that the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, effectively the EU's senior diplomat, significantly influences attitudes toward Israel and, by extension, the status of European Jews. "Regarding EU-Israel relations, I would identify three distinct groups: Israel's true allies, including the Czech Republic and Hungary, who consistently offer political support; friendly nations that support Israel but not as steadfastly, such as Germany and France; and the anti-Israel left wing, including Ireland, Spain, and non-EU member Norway," Goldschmidt explained.
"Concerning Jewish communities in Europe – foreign policy directly impacts domestic policy, which can be demonstrated statistically. Typically, when countries adopt officially hostile positions toward Israel, we observe increased tolerance of antisemitism and rising antisemitic incidents in those nations."
Rabbi Goldschmidt, who anticipates meeting with Kallas in the near future, expressed optimism about her appointment: "I believe Kallas will demonstrate a more balanced approach toward Israel than Borrell. Estonia, as part of the Baltic states, generally maintains positive relations with Israel, similar to other Eastern European nations. However, since the Russia-Ukraine war, the Baltic states have been less appreciative of Israel's neutrality and its reluctance to provide more decisive support to Ukraine."
Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA), views Kallas's appointment as potentially beneficial for Israel: "Borrell consistently used his position against Israel, almost obsessively. His departure brings relief, as it would be challenging to find someone more problematic. Regarding Kaja Kallas, we know who she is and while we don't expect her to match Geert Wilders's pro-Israel stance, we believe she'll maintain a more balanced approach. Ultimately, one doesn't need to be a fervent supporter of Israel to support Israel – being fair, honest, and objective suffices. From those who have known her for years, we understand she possesses these qualities and will likely be more favorable toward Israel."
An Estonian Jewish community source familiar with Kallas also anticipates improvement over Borrell: "During her tenure as Estonia's prime minister, her relationship with the Jewish community was respectful and fair, though not particularly warm. While she attended significant Jewish events and met with community leaders and the rabbi, compared to other prime ministers, strong personal connections didn't develop."
In Kallas's defense, her term began during the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring significant attention to crisis management. This was immediately followed by the Russia-Ukraine war crisis, demanding substantial focus. Nevertheless, following Oct. 7, 2023, she was notably absent from a pro-Israel support vote in the Estonian parliament.
"Unlike her positions against Russia, where she maintains clear stances, and against Iran's weapons supply to Russia, she appears not to have deeply considered Middle Eastern dynamics, tending to align with prevalent European perspectives. In the past year, particularly approaching her foreign affairs appointment, she's avoided taking definitive pro-Israel positions, possibly a strategic choice to maintain neutrality for career advancement. However, she certainly cannot be characterized as hostile toward Israel," the Estonian Jewish community source said.
"Kallas's father, Siim Kallas, a prominent Estonian figure who previously served as central bank president, foreign minister, and prime minister, maintains numerous Jewish friendships and positive relations with Israel. He facilitated Estonian-Israeli arms deals and developed warm connections with key Jewish community figures. Unverified rumors suggest possible Jewish ancestry in their family's past generations. Ultimately, I believe her approach will align with her career interests, and her stance toward Israel will largely depend on political considerations, particularly regarding US relations. She lacks entrenched anti-Israel views, and her position will likely reflect political pragmatism. Her relationship with the Trump administration will certainly influence her approach toward Israel."
