DER SPIEGEL: Last week, you accompanied European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on their visit to Israeli kibbutzes that were attacked by Hamas. What was your impression?
Regev: It is one thing to read in info/une/la-banque-dangleterre-releve-ses-taux-dinteret-a-leur-plus-haut-niveau-depuis-2008/” title=”La Banque d'Angleterre relève ses taux d'intérêt à leur plus haut niveau depuis 2008.”>the news what has happened. But to see it yourself is something different entirely. It was shocking to see destroyed homes where people lived only days ago. The Hamas terrorists didn’t spare anybody. They burned, they raped, they beheaded people. They used almost every method of killing used by the Nazis and their collaborators.
About Haim Regev 
Foto: JOHANNA GERON / REUTERS
Haim Regev, born in 1967, has been Israel’s ambassador to NATO and the European Union since September 2021. Previously, he headed the Middle East and Peace Process Division in the Israeli Foreign Ministry and was Chief of Staff to Minister Gabi Ashkenazi between May 2020 and June 2021. Before that, he was stationed in Oman and the United States.
DER SPIEGEL: In a recent statement, von der Leyen said: “Europe stands with Israel. And we fully support Israel’s right to defend itself.” Do you have the feeling that all 27 EU member states agree?
Regev: Right after the attacks, there was a lot of support for Israel coming from the EU, without any qualifications. But this is beginning to change, and we are going to see more of that. That is why we really appreciate the clear stance taken by President von der Leyen. She showed courage and leadership.
DER SPIEGEL: She was, however the target of harsh criticism from some who said she had exceeded her authority by traveling to Israel to represent the EU and that her message was overly one-sided.
Regev: I really do not understand such criticism. President von der Leyen did the exact thing that is expected from a leader: Following the atrocities Israel faced, she came to us quickly and showed solidarity with a clear public message. I think what she did should be appreciated, not criticized.
We are not going to stop. Israel will go all the way and eliminate Hamas.
DER SPIEGEL: There were some who said that she failed to issue a clear enough reminder to the Israeli government that it should respect international humanitarian law during military operations in the Gaza Strip. Does Israel need reminding?
Regev: President von der Leyen did not ignore the humanitarian situation, this is absolutely fake. During her meetings in Israel, she raised all relevant issues, including the humanitarian aspect. And she has proven that with partners, it is important to speak openly behind closed doors — not through megaphone diplomacy. With this kind of leadership, the EU can become a more important and relevant player in the Middle East. I would like to reiterate that Israel will act according to international law. We have asked people in Gaza to move out of the danger zone because we do not want to harm them.
