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/ Israel and Europe
Israel has become increasingly isolated on the European continent, given the extremism of the current Israeli government and its military conduct in Gaza and across the Middle East. Reflecting this isolation, four member states of the European Union (EU) boycotted the Eurovision Song Contest in Austria last month in protest of Israel’s inclusion. Meanwhile, Israel faces ongoing legal proceedings at The Hague concerning genocide and war crimes in Gaza. The EU-Israel Association Agreement governing the relationship hangs in the balance and the EU is implementing additional sanctions against violent Israeli settlers and their organizations in the West Bank for violating Palestinian human rights. If Israel does not reverse course, it should not be surprised if it finds itself similarly isolated in the United States, where popular support for Israel is already declining. This issue brief examines the three rounds of EU sanctions against violent Israeli settlers and settler organizations, the benefits of the Association Agreement and its potential suspension, the latest developments on Israel-Palestine in six EU hotspots, as well as the impact on Israel of its growing isolation in Europe and how a future Israeli government can reverse this trend.
