The European Union’s perceived
anti-Israeli attitude in the wake of the al-Aqsa Intifada
may be studied, as other similar issues relating to Israel’s
intetrnational standing, through different aspects and disciplines, not
the least of which being the historiosophic aspect that attributes a
decisive role to anti-Semitism.
It is difficult to dispute the
premise that antisemitism has been an immanent component of European
culture, moulding the tragic events in Jewish history. It is likewise
unjust to denounce Israeli spokesmen whose response to various
international measures adverse to Israeli interests, was indicative of
their preoccupation with this perception of antisemitism. The European
Parliament resolution of April 10, 2002, accusing Israel for its policy
vis-à-vis the Palestinians is one such measure.
The current author, however,
maintains that although legitimate, this historiosophic angle should not
overshadow other aspects commonly encountered in the study of
international affairs. This article, accordingly, seeks to highlight
some strategic considerations of the European Union’s approach to the
Middle East peace process both from an inter regional and a global
perspective. The former perspective points at the Arab-Israeli conflict
as hindering a European Union’s ongoing endeavour to substantiate a
European Mediterranean Partnership as a precondition to a Mediterranean
socio-economic and political stability, a sitiuation projected by the
Eurpean Union as crucial to European security.
Referring to Israel as the oppressor
and to the Palestinians as the oppressed party the European Union
demands that the former offers substantial concessions in order to reset
the peace process which would eventually facilitate the realization of
the European Mediterranean Partnership.
The second perspective underlines a
French led European Union policy aimed at augmenting its power and
international posture to such a degree that would lend it a super-power
status capable of perfoming in the global arena parallel to and
independently of the United States. This policy is a symptom of a world
system in the making in the post Cold War era.
Both perspectives reflect a
constant European Union awareness that an intra-union equilibrium be
maintained between integrational interests on the one hand and
fragmantation forces on the other so that the Union can continue its
existence as an ever evolving entity.
