Israel believes that cooperation with the EU cannot be judged solely by political circumstances. This idea was reinforced at the conference by Dr. Maya Sion-Tzidkiyahu, director of the Israel–Europe Relations Program at the Mitvim Institute, who stressed that the bilateral relationship is rooted in “a shared history, common values and common interests,” even if she acknowledges that Israeli perceptions of Europe have hardened after Gaza, especially due to the rise of radical discourse on European streets.
Sion-Tzidkiyahu warned that the combination of political identity, polarization, and the aftermath of October 7th has transformed the way Israelis interpret European reactions: “New thresholds have been crossed, such as slogans denying Israel’s right to exist—something profoundly concerning for Israeli society.”
