Among the very first countries to establish a diplomatic mission in Brussels, Israel formerly established full diplomatic relations with the EC in February 1959. Yet, in spite of these long-standing relations with Europe, a definite lack of knowledge and understanding about the EU exists in Israel.

Knesset member Nitzan Horowitz, former journalist and Israeli correspondent in France, defines it even as a deep misunderstanding, which has several causes, such as the Holocaust heritage and the media reports: in Europe, they tend to concentrate on the Middle-East conflict whereas in Israel they emphasize the anti-Semitic, pro-Arab stands of the Europeans. Moreover, the “centrality of the United States in the Israeli diplomatic and strategic thinking” together with the perception of Europe as being anti-Israel, especially in war-times, create a “relationship, at the political level, that has been often marked by disappointment, bitterness and anger” (Quotes from “Uneasy Neighbors: Israel and the European Union” by Dr. Sharon Pardo and Dr. Joel Peters).

In his introduction, Dr. Oded Eran, former Israeli Ambassador to the EU, mentioned his very good personal relation with Hans-Gert Pöttering, the new chairman of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, who was then the president of the European Parliament.

Contrary to views expressed by some politicians and by Israelis in opinion polls conducted by KAS and the Adenauer Division, Dr. Eran does not believe that the Israeli leadership desires to be an integral part of the EU project. Israel, however, genuinely favors the strengthening of its relations with the EU, beyond the ENP. But in the Luxemburg Declaration of 2008, Europe linked the upgrading of the relations with the progress in the peace process, which makes the debate even more difficult since Israel does not always see Europe as an honest broker.

Israel as well as the EU have to make strategic choices for the future of their relations, as well as long-term planning. A new model and special structures should be found to help develop the EU-Israel partnership in the frame of the Lisbon Treaty. But ultimately both partners must decide whether they truly want to conduct a dialogue on long-term objectives, or prefer to keep each other at a distance for the time being.

Israel must also answer this important question: Does it see its future linked to its geographical neighborhood in the Middle-East or to Europe, its real hinterland?

To this question, Mr. Andrew Standley, Ambassador of the European Union to Israel, answered that Israel should also consider its other hinterland – the Middle-East! In this context, he advocates exploring new ways to build constructive relations with the neighbors. In search for regional solutions, he suggests exporting the EU model. Therefore he believes that the Israelis should learn more about the EU integration and peaceful pursuit of regional solutions.

Ambassador Standley sees his new position as a challenge and considers that the upcoming developments and changes linked to the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty will bring Israel and the EU closer in a constructive way.

All the speakers insisted that there are very few experts in Israel on European integration and relations between the EU and Israel. Therefore this research by Dr. Sharon Pardo and Dr. Joel Peters is filling a most important gap. With its comprehensive description and thorough analysis of 50 years of Israeli-European relations, the book will contribute to better understanding between both parties. In spite of the certain lack of interest given by Israelis to European integration and to the ever-increasing network of economic, scientific and cultural ties that is thriving between Israel and Europe, in spite also of definite ambivalence, the existing relations are deep and multi-layered. This book is therefore essential to comprehend their full significance.

This seminar brought up again the importance for the Israeli public of the joint work by KAS and the Adenauer Division for the Study of European Politics and Society at the Ben-Gurion University. The researches, conferences and seminars emphasize the significance of the EU-Israel relations and boosts constructive cooperation and exchanges among important actors in the fields: politicians, academics as well as members of the younger generation who are today playing an important role in shaping the future relations between Israel and the EU.