Geert Wilders visits Havat Gilad: "Millions in Europe support you"
Dutch opposition leader Geert Wilders paid a condolence visit to Havat Gilad to meet the family of Binyamin Malet, who was killed in a terror attack. Wilders expressed his solidarity, while Malet's widow shared memories of her husband's dedication to his family and the land.
The leader of the opposition in the Netherlands, Geert Wilders, arrived on Monday at Havat Gilad for a condolence visit to the family of Binyamin Malet, a member of the standby squad who was murdered on Friday in a terror attack near a settlement in the West Bank. Esther, Malet's widow, shared: "When I heard that something was happening, I knew 100% that he was there, helping." Wilders replied: "You are all heroes. You are not alone."
Wilders is visiting Israel as a guest of the head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, who also attended the meeting. During the visit, Malet spoke about her husband's character:
"On one hand, he was a great warrior, and on the other, he was connected with every fiber of his soul to the land and the country. He was born and raised in a family of farmers and great Zionists. I am an archaeologist and I was often away from home, and he was the one who took care of the girls. In his little free time, he loved to work with his hands—he made mezuzahs and engravings of holy places. We started building a new house and he didn't manage to finish it—we will finish it and continue his path."
Wilders told the family:
"Your husband was a true hero. It is very difficult to find words to ease the pain, and I came here to express my respect and support you. Know that millions of people in Europe also support you and feel your pain—you are not alone. You can never defeat the spirit."
Dagan added:
"Binyamin was one of the heroes, one of the first to run to every call. During the big fire, he fought while risking his life, and a day later he gave his life in the fight against terror. After October 7, it is clearer than ever that these fighters and families in the northern West Bank are the security belt of the entire State of Israel, and they are paying the heaviest price."
The visit of the Dutch opposition leader comes against the backdrop of the Dutch government's announcement that starting September 22, a ban will be imposed on the trade of products originating from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The Netherlands has joined a small group of European countries taking independent sanctions after the European Union failed to reach an agreement on a similar move.
Binyamin Malet, 32, was killed alongside Major Yuval Ezra. He left behind two daughters—Tair Eretz and Adama Ivriya—and a legacy of faith and deep connection to the Land of Israel.
