- His love affair with Israel began aged 17, when he volunteered in Israel for a year. "I really enjoyed myself, and not just because of the beautiful Israeli women," he recalls.
Wilders is said to have visited Israel over 40 times.
- Wilders wife Krisztina, a Hungarian former diplomat in the military complex, is Jewish. His maternal grandmother is also said to be Jewish.
- He has many friends in Israel such as former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon: “He was also greatly demonized by the West, but was a great politician who serves as a role model for me," Wilders stated.
SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL
- Wilders is one of Israel's strongest and loudest supporters in Europe, and insisted on improving relations with Israel: “I'm very pleased Israel is the only country mentioned in the agreement we must invest in more," he says. "We are the State of Israel's best friends and support it in any way possible.”
ON THE ISRAEL - PALESTINE CONFLICT
- “The struggle against Israel is a struggle against us. We are Israel.”
I'm not ashamed to fight for Israel."
- “Israel is a lighthouse and the only democracy in a dark and tyrannical region," he declares. "It's part of us, of our European identity. Israel is fighting our war."
- He believes the Palestinians already have their own state: “Jordan is Palestine, that’s how it was in the past, after the Sykes–Picot Agreement, and this mis the solution for the conflict.”
“Israel is a democracy and the Israelis will decide on the desired solution.”
- Wilders visited Israel as the guest of Knesset Member Arieh Eldad (National Union) at a conference against the "two states for two people" concept.
ON ISRAEL JOINING THE EU
- "I would advise my friends in Israel not to consider it. The EU has always been on the Palestinians' side. Israel has many friends in Europe, but Europe is not Israel's friend."
ON IRAN
- Wilders supports a military option against Iran: “Iran is the greatest geopolitical threat on Israel, on stability in the entire Middle East, and on Europe and the entire world," he says.
“They will search for a joint external enemy, and Israel will be the first to pay the price. If Israel decides on a military counterattack because its existence is threatened, I will understand. The alternative is having Israel destroyed.”