European Union and Israel – a summary
Background:
Europe has a long and complex history in relation to the Jewish people and, since 1948, to the modern state of Israel.
Europe, as a construction, is often said to be built on the legacy of three cities; Rome, Athens and Jerusalem. In this respect Europe is at least one third Jewish.
Many Jewish personalities have helped shaped Europe. It would be difficult to think about modern day Europe without the contributions of men like Spinoza, Freud and Einstein.
But there are also dark chapters in European history which are related to treatment of the Jewish people. Jews have repeatedly been singled out, harassed and persecuted in Europe for one reason only, for being Jewish. This culminated with the 6 million Jews who were slaughtered in the Holocaust.
It is impossible to understand the new Europe without understanding the Holocaust.
After the war two conclusions were made which related to European relations to Israel and European Jewry.
- History had taught us that the Jewish people can never be completely safe in any other nation than in a country of their own, hence the full support for a Jewish homeland and the creation of the modern state of Israel.
- Regardless of the fact that Europe acknowledged that the safety of World Jewry could only be guaranteed in a state of their own, no Jewish person was ever to suffer or be let down again in Europe again. Never again.
1948-1967-2009
Most experts agree that the relations between Europe and Israel were relatively warm and supportive until the Six-Day-War in 1967. The horrors of the Second World War were still in fresh memory and the world at large admired the many achievements of the young and vibrant Jewish state.
After the Six-Day-War in 1967 war the perception of Israel changed gradually. Suddenly Israel was viewed as an aggressor and occupier instead of a safe haven for persecuted Jews.
This happened at a time of general upheaval and student protests in the West when Marxism shaped the thinking of many intellectuals and young people. In accordance with Marxist theories Israel was now considered to be a Western colonial state backed by the imperialist US.
But it was not only the change in political thinking which caused the new attitude. The economic aspects became increasingly important as Arab oil interests put pressure on Western governments to side with the Arabs in the conflict in the Middle East. A combination of the two, Arab oil and the attempt to form a competing power bloc against the US, helped shape European policies at this time. Europe was now considered an Arab ally in contrast to US backing of Israel.
As the European Union lacked a coherent foreign policy for most of this period, individual countries could position themselves rather freely. But in the last few years the pressure to show a united front in the UN and in Brussels has become more evident. Nevertheless, as recently as in April 2009, the EU split over the issue on whether to participate in the Durban II or not. As we write this essay the Czech EU-presidency has openly introduced a separate line from that of the European Commission in its policies towards Israel.
Europe post 9-11 and today
In 2003 a European survey revealed that Israel was considered the major threat to world peace among ordinary Europeans. This survey and the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe in connection with the second intifada seemed to mark a wake up call and a shift in EU opinion towards Israel. It also coincided with the Israeli decision to withdraw from Gaza and to prepare for a two state solution. But most important was still the terror attack of September 11, 2001 and later also in Madrid and London. Suddenly part of the political class in Europe understood the reality of the terrorist threat that Israel had been facing on its own in the Middle East for many years.
While the political class has grown somehow more sympathetic towards Israel in recent years the public opinion has not followed this trend. We now have a situation when governments are more pro-Israel than the general public at large. If and when the EU and the member governments will change their policies towards Israel, they can, sadly, count on the support of their electorate.
This may happen sooner than we realize. EU support to Israel is closely linked to the Israeli government following through with the commitments and concrete plans to achieve a two-state solution, as spelled out in Annapolis. If and when Israel’s determination is questioned on this point the tone from Brussels will change. Just in the last few weeks this has become increasingly clear with remarks from Foreign Policy chief Javier Solana and European Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Benita Ferrero-Waldner about the need for Israel to stay committed to the peace plan of Annapolis if Israel wants “business as usual with Brussels.” EU-Israeli relations are again in for major challenges.
