Spanish lawmaker joins secretive Israel lobby group

A long-standing member of the European Parliament has been recruited by a secretive pro-Israel group.

Antonio López-Istúriz, the lawmaker in question, agreed to join what has been described as an “exclusive advisory body” for the Israel Economic Forum (IEF).

The IEF describes itself as “an invitation-only group” bringing together “deeply committed pro-Israel CEOs, business executives, and world leaders who leverage their success and influence to ensure the future of the Jewish people and the state of Israel.”

Such framing is problematic as it implies that Israel is synonymous with Jews around the world, large numbers of whom object to that state’s crimes and its racist ideology Zionism.