Last night, I had the honour to host, together with the Center for Jewish Impact, an uplifting panel about sports as a platform for dialogue, tolerance and social impact. Thanks to Shino Zoaretz and Yariv Teper from the Israel FA, Yoav Borowitz and Miri Nevo for joining us. Sports unites us all! ⚽️

Team Europe put up a good fight, but still lost 3:5 against the talented coaches of Hapoel Jerusalem FC's Neighborhoods League. The EU is proud to support this initiative, which connects hundreds of boys and girls from across the city and from various backgrounds. Football unites us all!

I was honoured to host diplomats, journalists, activists, academics, gov't officials and friends of the EU tonight to mark Europe Day 🇪🇺. We don't always agree with the gov't, but the fact that so many of our friends honoured us with their presence tonight proves that EU-Israel ties remain strong.

Fascinating visit to Ashdod port, a vital cog in Israel's economy. Thanks to Chairman Shaul Schneider and CEO Nissan Levy for hosting us! Was impressed by their resilience during the war, efficiency in maintaining supply chains during difficult times and leadership in innovation.

Important meeting with MK Simcha Rothman, who chairs the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee. We discussed EU-Israel relations, the ME Peace Process and domestic political developments. I reiterated the EU's position on the two-state solution, our support for civil society and PA reform.

On this solemn day of remembrance, I was honoured to host my colleagues for a meaningful conversation with the Parents' Circle and Combatants for Peace. We then watched the Israeli-Palestinian Joint Memorial Ceremony, a moving reminder that both sides have suffered for far too long.

In Tira with Mayor Abd Al-Hai, I visited shelters and schools and participated in a situational assessment at the municipal emergency operations center. I learned about complex protection gaps in the town and in Arab society more broadly. Full solidarity with the public here!

Today EU Special Representative Bigot and I joined Ramat Gan Deputy Mayor Assaf Weiss at the site of a deadly missile strike. The EU Delegation to Israel is in Ramat Gan and we're grateful for the warm welcome and deeply inspired by the resilience of the people here. Indiscriminate attacks must end!

Together with my colleagues, today we visited the site of an Iranian missile impact in Beit Shemesh, where 9 Israeli civilians were killed. We witnessed sobering and depressing scenes, but also the resilience of the local community. Thank you Amb Stefaan Thijs for arranging this!

Today I visited Magen David Adom National Headquarters in Ramle, including the paramedics training center, the national call center and the underground emergency blood bank. Deeply impressed by the dedication of staff and volunteers. Humbled to have been able to donate blood myself.

I joined Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai today for a situation-assessment meeting at the impressive municipal emergency operations center. Kudos to all working to save lives. We also toured the site of a ballistic missile hit. Top priority now is to ensure the safety of civilians.

I wish to express our sincere condolences to the families of those killed by Iranian strikes. May their memory be a blessing! Full solidarity with civilians suffering under heavy indiscriminate fire.

In Kfar Azza and Nahal Oz today, I heard Mazi, Gali and Naomi speak about the pain of October 7 and the long road ahead. Their resilience is humbling. We planted a clementine tree in Mazi’s garden - hoping it will grow strong with the community.

In the Negev I listened to Bedouin leaders speaking openly about the daily realities facing recognized and unrecognized villages - and their determination to change them. Their leadership left a strong impression on me. The EU stands with those working for equality and dialogue.

Honoured to open the Independent Journalism Conference in Tel Aviv w/ ISOC-IL, Union of Journalists in IL and 7th Eye. Freedom of the press & pluralism of the media are fundamental values for the EU. We'll continue supporting journalists & civil society actors committed to truth and accountability.

We had the great honour to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day by hosting a Zikaron Basalon event with the extraordinary Rachel Herczl. Born in 1929 in Hungary, she survived Auschwitz and founded a beautiful family in Israel after the war. Thank you for sharing your story with us!

Great to come down to Eilat for a constructive meeting with Mayor Eli Lankry. Eilat has long been an important partner for us, successfully taking part in key projects and programmes in research and innovation, climate action and other areas of cooperation.

Honoured to visit together with fellow ambassadors the Ghetto Fighters’ House ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. A powerful reminder of courage amid tragedy, and of our enduring responsibility to remember, to educate and to fight antisemitism in all its forms.

Great pleasure to meet Gadi Baltiansky of Education for Peace, the Tel Aviv HQ of the Geneva Initiative. Supporting civil society and those working for peace remains a core element of the EU’s engagement in the region.

Very rewarding meeting with Robert Singer and his team from the Center for Jewish Impact. We had a constructive exchange on shared priorities and ways to deepen #EU cooperation with Israeli civil society.

Thanks to Swiss Ambassador Simon Geissbühler and Bar Ilan University the very moving and informative event to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. As Europeans, we consider it our sacred duty to remember the past and work toward a world without antisemitism and discrimination.

Had a great evening of basketball watching Maccabi Tel Aviv versus Hapoel Jerusalem. Fantastic noisy atmosphere and a thrilling match. I'll be back 🏀

Delighted to meet Omri Timianker, founder and boss of Penlink, for a fascinating discussion about technology, disinformation and preparedness. Having worked on disinformation, it was great to see how technology and human skills are developing so fast, led by cutting-edge firms like Penlink.

Lovely visit to the Children's Hospital at Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva. Grateful to Prof. David Greenberg and his dedicated staff for their inspiring work. Wishing a happy Hannukah and a speedy recovery to all the adorable patients we met!

Today I visited the Gvili family home in Meitar, where Ran Gvili lived before he headed out on Oct 7, despite his broken shoulder, to save lives and fight terrorists. I told Talik, his courageous mother, that we will continue to push for his return. The Trump plan must be implemented.

Delighted to meet again Ruth Shoham, CEO of Davidson Institute at the Weizmann Institute, to discuss creative ways to encourage youngsters to study science.

Proud to once again partner with the Solidarity Human Rights Film Festival, which opened last night in Tel Aviv. Human rights are universal and apply everywhere, including in this region where such rights face profound challenges. We'll always stand with defenders of human rights.

Productive visit to Hebrew University with the head of our Research & Innovation Section, meeting the university leadership and listening to and learning from outstanding EU-funded researchers. Our interlocutors underlined the importance of continued cooperation with European scientists.

Honoured to join Ukrainian Deputy PM Taras Kachka and Ukranian Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk for the unveiling of the Holodomor memorial in Jerusalem. We remember the millions who perished in the man-made famine of 1932-33. The EU will continue to stand with Ukraine. 🇪🇺🇺🇦

I joined Herzliya Mayor Yariv Fisher for the cornerstone laying of The Congress, a new hub for conferences, sports and other events. As a resident of Herzliya, I'm looking forward to seeing this venue improve community life and bring people together from Israel, Europe and beyond.