EU exploits US weakness and increases pressure on Israel – opinion

European countries, taking advantage of the US being distracted by internal problems, are increasing political and economic pressure on Israel. The UK has restricted imports from settlements, and Israel responded by reducing participation in PA projects. Analysts draw parallels with 1980 and 1982, when Washington's reduced engagement allowed Europe to act independently.

European countries, taking advantage of the temporary weakness and distraction of the US due to internal and international problems, are increasing political and economic pressure on Israel. The most notable step was the UK's decision to restrict imports of products from Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria, supported by Canada and several European states. Jerusalem responded by reducing the UK's participation in projects to train Palestinian Authority forces and by withdrawing British representatives from the mechanism supporting humanitarian activities in Gaza. Researcher Azriel Bermant, whose analysis is cited by Foreign Policy, notes that the actions of different countries, despite varying internal circumstances, form a single trend of increasing pressure on Israel. Meanwhile, in the US, Democratic senators are advancing sanctions against Israelis involved in construction in the E1 area. The authors draw parallels with 1980, when against the backdrop of the Iranian crisis Europe adopted the Venice Declaration, and with 1982, when after the Lebanon War arms restrictions followed. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has stated the possibility of further measures. For the Netanyahu government, this creates an additional foreign policy problem.