Prime Minister Ariel Sharon meets EU representative
Photo: AP
European-Israeli honeymoon
All of a sudden Europe is starting to identify with Israel
Something positive has been happening of late to Israel-Europe relations. Israeli diplomats in capitals around Europe report growing openness to Israel and its positions from leaders, politicians and opinion makers, including politicians who have a history of hostility towards Israel.
After years of lecturing Israel, Europe's diplomatic elite is prepared to lend an attentive ear to Israel's claims and explanations, to criticize the Palestinians and even express true disgust at recent outbursts by the president of Iran.
Palestinian terrorism?
At a security conference held recently in Berlin, the European Commissioner for Security and Justice mentioned Israel as a country that has suffered from terrorism. More than that, he said there could be no justification for terror attacks against innocent civilians.
One might have thought these two statements should have been too obvious to mention, but they represent a true revolution in the European vocabulary:
Since the beginning of the second intifada, just about every European leader, including those closest to Israel, have been careful to make a sharp distinction between Islamic terror striking targets around the world and Palestinian attacks against Israel.
This differentiation stemmed from a worldview that saw Palestinian attacks as a response to "occupation;" in other words, Israel brought them on itself, and as long as the occupation continued, Palestinian terrorism was to some degree "justified."
Changes in Israel, changes in Europe
The Europeans argue that this change in approach stemmed from two massive transformations that have happened in Israel: The pullout from Gaza and the dismantling of settlements there, and the political earthquake caused by Ariel Sharon's disbanding of the Likud and establishment of the Kadima Party.
In light of these, Europe has forgiven Sharon for all past "sins." It is hard to believe that just a few years ago, European newspapers published cartoons depicting Sharon as monster devouring Palestinian children and a mass murderer.
But this change also stems from - perhaps mainly from – the fact that European governments now face the same terrorist threats and violence at home and abroad. This has caused them for the first time to feel some solidarity with Israel.
Lessons to learn
European governments that once wasted no opportunity to criticize Israel and accuse it of human rights violations are now caught trying to balance human rights with the need to take appropriate security measures that will deter Islamic extremists and protect civilian populations.
All of a sudden Europe realizes it has lessons to learn from Israel, and its claims no longer fall on deaf ears.
How long will this honeymoon last? Some Israelis see deep change in Europe's approach to Israel. Others believe the current atmosphere is a passing phase.
Renewed violence with the Palestinians will be the true test as to what the true nature of the thaw in relations with Europe is. Israel's diplomatic corps would be wise not to rest on its laurels, but must rather act to deepen feelings of solidarity, before they disappear.
