Op-ed: Europe’s failure to run its own affairs doesn’t stop it from constantly interfering in Israel’s affairs
BERLIN – Just when the vision, or delusion, of Europe’s unity is facing a grave reality test, it’s amazing to see how one issue manages to unite the failing, disintegrating European bureaucracy: The grudge toward Israel.
Even the Euro crisis, which threatens to sink European unity into a new nationalist storm, cannot ease the inherent hostility of the European apparatus, located in Brussels, to the Jewish state. By now it looks like a sick obsession that blinds the patient’s eyes and prevents him from seeing his real problems.
Almost not a day goes by without the office of “foreign minister” Catherine Ashton or the EU “embassy” in Israel issuing a condemnation of Israeli actions in the West Bank, Gaza Strip or inside Israel. With zealousness that can only attest to disproportional devotion, EU emissaries – mostly with the help of Israeli collaborators who enjoy generous funding – monitor anything that could be perceived to undermine the rights of Palestinians or Israel’s Arab citizens.
For a long time now, the Europeans have not been protesting only matters pertaining to the occupation; rather, they are working methodically to undermine the very existence of Israel as an independent Jewish state.
Large sums of money provided to fund activities in different areas have created dangerous dependence between Israel and the European Union. Had this investment been aimed at developing human resources for the benefit of the EU there would be nothing wrong with it. However, the Europeans are aiming to exploit and rule: Take advantage of what Israel can give them, while at the same time dictate how it should conduct itself.
EU adopts Arab formula
An absurd situation has been created whereby the European Union, which cannot manage its own affairs efficiently, is working with great determination to decide for Israel how it should behave.
Meanwhile, the Europeans are pouring huge sums of money into the Palestinian Authority without a hint of criticism about Palestinian actions. Senior EU officials refrain from meeting with Israel’s foreign minister, yet preach for dialogue with Hamas. And in at a time where the Middle East is burning because of endless violations of human rights, condemnations are constantly being issued against Israel.
It appears that the Europeans have been taken captive by the Arab magic formula, whereby the conflict with Israel is at the heart of the region’s problems and only its resolution – that is, making Israel capitulate to Arab demands – will bring peace and stability. And please don’t bother the Europeans with other explanations. It could undermine their stability.
Israel has an interest in good relations with Europe. The European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, will be awarded an honorary doctorate from University of Haifa Tuesday “in appreciation of his firm stance against anti-Semitism, his work to commemorate the Holocaust and his devotion to peace.” However, the Europeans must understand that such ties can only develop on the basis of dialogue between equals, while completely refraining from any attempt to undermine Israel’s sovereignty.
If someone in Brussels is truly interested in fruitful, mutual relations with Israel, which has much to offer, they should start to change their approach.
@ rongrand:
I really would have liked to see that but historic records are damning.
Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, Ottomans, British took turns to invade and others joined the Nazis to complete the picture.
Those tribes are mortal enemies and that is the terrible truth.
@ SHmuel HaLevi:
SHmuel I hope your wrong about this. Having said that I believe Obama and George Soros & Company are working towards that goal.
That why I continue to stress the need for the US to stand along side of Israel shoulder to shoulder after all Israel is our only true friend and trusted ally in the ME.
We need to stop treating Israel as step child bur rather as a friend and partner.
About 8 years ago I had the dubious privilege of being invited to a series of technology exchange meets in Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria. We encountered our hosts and co participants in small towns in Germany such as Staufen and principal cities such as Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg as well as Paris in France, etc.
Upon my return our activists group here in Israel met and I presented to them my findings. I saw very debilitated societies, bankrupt morally and economically.
I believed then that in ten years since that time anti-Semitism would be virulent.
That Europe would fade in the throes of violence.
The US would not be far behind.
The US is closely linked to Europe and would be adding its own economic and social major problems, some of them likely irreversible, to those of Europe.
Indeed we must move away from that setting. The Far East, South America and Africa are the emerging economies.
@ yamit82:
Yamit, this is all part-and-parcel with the post above about Lieberman and the change in foreign policy. Lieberman is known to have said directly to some EU diplomat (maybe it was Ashton) that the EU should try fixing its own problems before worrying so much about Israel.
@ Eric R.:
UPDATE 2-Israel’s Elbit Systems eyes Latam and Asia growth
Elbit Systems Ltd
Invesco Municipal Premium Income Trust
* Q2 EPS $0.90 versus $0.82 forecast
* Q2 revenue slip to $676.4 mln
* Nasdaq shares rise 1.1 pct
By Steven Scheer
JERUSALEM, Aug 14 (Reuters) – Buoyant military spending in Latin America and Asia is filling the order books of Israeli defence electronics firm Elbit Systems Ltd, helping it ride out a budget squeeze in the United States and Europe.
Posting high-than-expected earnings on Tuesday, President and Chief Executive Joseph Ackerman said the second quarter had continued a trend of increased revenue from the Latin American and Asia-Pacific regions which now account for a third of sales.
“I believe that our focus on these regions will enable us to continue to grow, even against the background of tightening budgets in Europe and the United States,” said Ackerman,
Lieberman is correct to focus attention on Israeli foreign policy away from Europe, since Europe will never, ever overcome its Jew-hatred. Ever.
Even the rapprochment with Greece will only last until Israel has to bomb Lebanon or Gaza to defend itself.
However, Europeans are broke, spiritually bankrupt, and their civilization is dying, both culturally and demographically. The Israelis now just look at the EU with disgust and contempt; and will move their relations elsewhere – to India, China, South Korea and even Christian nations in Africa.