The visit, organised by ELNET, a pro-Israel European NGO, brought 15 Muslim figures from across Europe to Jerusalem. During the meeting with Herzog on 7 July 2025, Msibih notably sang an Arabic version of the Israeli national anthem. The mosque board cited “recent political statements” as grounds for his immediate suspension, stating the institution no longer holds any ties with him.

The delegation also visited Israel’s parliament, religious sites in occupied East Jerusalem, and the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. Meetings with the Israeli military’s Arabic spokesperson and victims of Hezbollah attacks in the Golan Heights were also part of the itinerary.

Polarising Delegation Led by French Imam

The group was led by French Imam Hassen Chalghoumi, known for his pro-Israel stance and controversial views. During the meeting, Chalghoumi described the current conflict as “a confrontation between two fundamentally different worlds,” praising Israel for representing “democracy and liberty.”

The visit drew condemnation from several Muslim figures, including French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan, who criticised Chalghoumi’s legitimacy as a Muslim representative. Other members of the delegation, like Noor Dahri from the UK, posted images from Al-Aqsa and Tel Aviv in open support of Israeli positions, intensifying the backlash.