European Muslim leaders laud Israel, slam Hezbollah as the ‘Party of Satan’

Delegation of imams from Europe meet with Israel’s president in Jerusalem, joining in singing of Israel’s national anthem.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with a delegation of imams and Muslim community leaders from across Europe Monday morning.

The meeting was held at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, and included Muslim leaders from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

The delegation was organized by the European Leadership Network (ELNET), a pro-Israel European lobby organization.

Against the backdrop of rising antisemitism across the West, including in Muslim communities across Europe, Herzog stressed the importance of the delegation, and Israel’s efforts to secure peace agreements with additional Arab and Muslim states.

The president stressed the vital role of the Muslim population in Israel, which he noted was an integral part of Israeli society.

Members of the delegation opined about their love and friendship for Israel and the Jewish people, and of the need to show an alternative to extremism.

The visit ended with an emotional prayer for peace and singing of the lyrics of Israel’s national anthem the Hatikvah.

“You represent the silent majority in the Middle East,” Herzog said.

“We are all children of Abraham, and I believe the historic progress in our region is a progress of dialogue — between Muslims and Jews, and Jews and Muslims.”

“In the face of radical forces that try to block this progress and the true desire of Isaac and Ishmael to live together, there are other forces—growing stronger every day along the arc of history—that are advancing this vision. And what you’re doing on this visit, and in your courageous work, reflects the silent majority in the Middle East and around the world who yearn for this kind of shared life.”

“Bring back to your communities a message of peace. I hope that peace will come with Syria, with Lebanon, inshallah even with Saudi Arabia, and that we will continue moving forward.”

The head of the delegation, Chairman of the Conference of Imams of France and Imam of Drancy, Imam Hassen Chalghoumi, said Israel represents “the world of brotherhood, of humanity, of compassion. You stand for the values of democracy and liberty.”

“My message to you is one of deep affection — for you and for your remarkable people. It is a message of brotherhood and solidarity, and a heartfelt prayer that the hostages will return home in peace, and that the pain and suffering of innocent civilians in Gaza will come to an end.”

Chalghoumi denounced the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terror group, calling it the “Party of Satan,” a play on its Arabic name, meaning “Party of Allah.”

“What we have witnessed since October 7th is not merely a conflict between Israel and Hamas, nor between Israel and Hezbollah—the so-called ‘Party of Satan’. Rather, it is a confrontation between two fundamentally different worlds. You represent the world of brotherhood, of humanity, of compassion. You stand for the values of democracy and liberty.”