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Israel and the Europeans

In recent years, linguistic problems have flourished between Israel and the European Union. Frequently the two sides talk about the same thing from very different points of view. The Europeans see Israel as Goliath, pitted against the Palestinian David, while the Israelis feel like David, surrounded by a hostile Arab superpower, Goliath.

Between Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Israel’s Likud party in particular there are differences of opinion over the Middle East peace process.

Against this background, five Likud members of parliament – Natan Sharansky, Jacob Edery, Majalli Whbee, Michael Gorlovsky, and Gila Gamliel accompanied by Dr. Abraham Sion – made a one-week visit to Germany at the invitation of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Talks with the highest political echelons, on both the federal and state levels, were intended to enhance insights into the other side’s situation and bring about an understanding of the other side’s position.

Judging by the visitors’ comments, this exchange of ideas, far from the political business of the day, was long overdue.

Nobody could expect one side to adopt the other’s views. But it certainly helped to listen, to understand, and also to criticize one’s own position.

Johannes Gerster