Wednesday 7 October 2026
Night EditionRSS
ZOTPAPER

News without the noise

ZOTPAPER
World

Far-right figures from US, Israel and Europe gather at National Conservatism conference in Jerusalem

Event brings together Christian nationalists, European nationalists and Israeli politicians, including an internationally sanctioned minister

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time1 min
A National Conservatism (NatCon) conference beginning today in Jerusalem features speeches from far-right Israeli politicians, European figures who have faced disciplinary action over alleged antisemitism, and Christian nationalist and far-right figures from the United States, with the Trump administration's anti-terrorism czar originally scheduled but later withdrawing.

The Jerusalem event is perhaps the most significant recent gathering to feature large contingents of Israeli nationalists alongside Christian nationalists and far-right European nationalists from a milieu sometimes shadowed by accusations of antisemitism.

Sebastian Gorka, a senior White House official whose May anti-terrorism strategy promised to target and neutralise groups "whose ideology is anti-American, radically pro-transgender, and anarchist," was scheduled to speak at the Jerusalem event, and his presence was still advertised on the website. However, when the Guardian contacted the White House for comment on Gorka's attendance, a spokesperson advised that he would no longer be attending due to a scheduling conflict, and that he had condemned Hamas's 7 October attack on Israel.

From Israel, the program lists Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister and a self-declared "fascist homophobe" who has been internationally sanctioned, and Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, who in 2023 called for an atom bomb to be dropped on Gaza.

§

Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The gathering signals deepening coordination between Israeli far-right figures, Christian nationalists in the US, and European nationalists, potentially influencing policy and political discourse across multiple countries.
  • The involvement of a Trump administration official, even after his withdrawal, underscores the reach of these networks into the highest levels of US government.
  • The conference highlights tensions within the far right over antisemitism, as some European attendees have faced accusations while aligning with Israeli nationalists.

Background

National Conservatism is a political movement that emerged in the 2010s, associated with conservative intellectuals and politicians who reject both liberal democracy and the market-focused approach of traditional conservatism. Its conferences have been held in several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, often drawing criticism for platforming figures associated with white nationalism and anti-immigrant rhetoric. The Jerusalem iteration is notable for bringing together Jewish Israeli nationalists with Christian and European nationalist allies.

Key Perspectives

Israel's far-right politicians: They see the conference as an opportunity to build international alliances and legitimize their positions on Israeli sovereignty and security, including policies in the occupied territories. Christian nationalists and European far-right figures: For them, the conference represents a strategic alignment with Israel based on shared opposition to liberal secularism and perceived common enemies. Human rights groups and critics: They raise concerns that such gatherings normalize and amplify extremist views, including those that have led to sanctions against Israeli ministers and calls for violence against civilians.

What to Watch

  • Further details on which European figures facing disciplinary action for alleged antisemitism are actually present and their interactions with Israeli delegates.
  • Whether any statements or joint declarations from the conference trigger diplomatic responses from the US or European governments.
  • Potential fallout within US politics if Gorka's connection to the event is scrutinized further.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

How we workReport an errorSubscribe