Conférence de Caroline du Plessix

Ph.D Student, Sciences Po/Centre d'études européennes -
Centre de Recherche français de Jérusalem/CNRS

à l'Université hébraïque de Jérusalem,

mercredi 25 janvier à 18h30

EU-Israel: An enduring 'special' relationship despite clashing perceptions

The relationship between the EU and Israel is indeed 'special'. The reasons are twofold: Firstly, this relationship is doomed to be passionate due to its rich historical background which provides for both a common ground of understanding and a major cause for mistrust. Secondly, Israel enjoys a 'special status' with the EU illustrated by an enduring upgrade of their bilateral agreements, in the economic and scientific sectors but also at the security level. Yet, clashing perceptions on political matters – the implementation of the two state solution, Israel's Cast Lead operation in Gaza or the regional consequences of the 'Arab Spring' – create diverging expectations concerning the future of their relationship.

Whereas the EU expects Israel to abide by its norms, the later seeks to deepen existing agreements as much as possible, at the bilateral level, by reminding its 'special status' acknowledged by the EU's Essen Council in 1994. The enduring nature of this 'special' relationship will depend on how both actors endeavour to meet the other's expectations by better understanding their perceptions of reality.