Israel and the EU
MVZ247 Week 7
A complicated relationship
Friendship
Strategic Ally
Sibling feud
Hostility and Misunderstanding
Friendship
Immigrants to British Mandate 1920s-1930s
Quota system, but not complete prevention
Immigration 1947-49
Collective guilt over WWII and Holocaust
Recognition of Israeli Independence
Assistance during War of Independence 1948-49
Czechoslovakia and France
Ally
Military aid in British-French military operation in the Suez 1956
Proxy against Soviet sphere of influence and Arab nationalism
1950s (nuclear weapons)
(1960s arms sales and 1967 War)
Feud
Since 1980s discernable anti-Israeli bias within European capitals.
Israel no longer considered victim.
Israeli policy in Lebanon and towards Palestinians within West Bank and Gaza
UN Security Council
UN General Assembly
Misunderstandings
Israeli-Palestinian conflict has caused both confusion and ‘hurt’ feelings which has
directed bi-lateral relations and various trade agreements and military operations.
Brussels
National capitals
Israel and EU has cooperated however on trade and military operations.
Israel is considered part of EU ENP.
Hostility
BDS movement
SodaStream
EU banning of Israeli products within Continent
EU support of prejudicial and bias resolutions in the UNSC and UNGA
UNSC/UNGA resolution against Israel and settlements
UNHRW (2017) though this has occurred in prior years as well