Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Associate Professor, Department of Political Sciences, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Political Sciences, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
3
Ph D Candidate in Political Sciences, Department of Political Sciences, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction
EU-Israel relations are one of the most complex and yet important issues in EU foreign policy and international relations analysis. Since its establishment, the EU has tried to play an effective role in resolving the conflicts in the Middle East, especially the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. However, while the EU has officially supported the two-state solution and the rights of the Palestinians, its operational policies towards Israel have always faced numerous challenges. This contradiction between the EU's declarative and operational policies is particularly noticeable in the economic, military, and diplomatic fields. Despite the EU's normative positions, at the same time, its economic and security relations with Israel have strengthened in recent decades. This research examines the main question: "How have the structural requirements of the international system, geopolitical interests, and economic dependencies shaped EU policies towards Israel from 2009 to 2024 and led to a gap between its declarative and operational policies?" In this regard, the main hypothesis of the research is that despite the European Union's declared commitments to international law and the two-state solution, the structural pressures of the international system, economic and security interdependencies, and the influence of the United States have caused the Union to in practice strengthen Israel's strategic position and weaken its diplomatic role in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Methodology
In this study, the descriptive-analytical research method has been chosen as a rigorous and systematic framework to provide the necessary context for an accurate and comprehensive representation of the processes, developments, and political and institutional transformations in the complex and multidimensional relations between the European Union and Israel in the period 2009-2024, while also enabling a deep and critical exploration of the structural and functional mechanisms of this relationship. The descriptive component of this method relies on the precise collection, organization, and classification of qualitative data extracted from numerous and diverse sources, such as official documents, policy statements, international reports, and strategic analyses. Through a systematic approach, it outlines key trends and events within a specified time frame. The analytical section, relying on the theory of neorealism and using critical analysis tools, examines the anarchic structure of the international system, the asymmetric distribution of power, and complex security and economic dependencies; In such a way that the determinants and inherent limitations on the independence of the EU's normative policies in the field of foreign policy are analyzed in detail and the challenges of the conflict between declarative principles and objective performance in the field of policy implementation are explained. This methodology, through the integration of theoretical arguments and documented evidence, enables the analysis of dynamic political and institutional processes. By explaining the causal relationships between structural and behavioral variables, it has a high ability to discover the behavioral patterns and strategic orientations of multilateral actors. In this way, the descriptive-analytical approach not only maintains descriptive accuracy and richness but also serves as a powerful analytical tool in explaining the systematic complexities of international relations, providing a coherent framework for extracting theoretical and practical insights in foreign policy studies.
Results and Discussion
In this study, EU-Israel relations are analyzed by focusing on two key dimensions: economic and security; on the one hand, the EU's increasing dependence on Israeli advanced technologies and defense exports, and the other hand, security overlaps in the face of common regional threats, have paved the way for the continuation and consolidation of bilateral relations. This article demonstrates that the structure of the international system, particularly the hegemonic role of the United States, has led the EU to prioritize its strategic interests over normative principles and support for the Palestinian issue in critical moments. As a result, the EU, while strengthening Israel's regional position, has, in practice, taken steps that create a conflict between its declared policies and its executive actions and has failed to play an effective role in the region's geopolitical balance.
The findings of this study emphasize that despite the EU's stated commitments to support Palestinian rights and the two-state solution, in practice, the EU's economic and security relations with Israel have been steadily strengthening. This contradiction between the EU's stated and implemented policies reflects the structural realities of the international system, in which actors are compelled to adopt policies that ultimately serve to preserve their power and security. In summary, this study emphasizes that to understand EU-Israel relations fully, attention must be paid to the complex and reciprocal economic, security, and political interactions between the two parties. These relations are constantly influenced, in particular, by the need to maintain the balance of power at both the global and regional levels. Future developments in this relationship necessitate a greater focus on structural changes in the international system and global politics.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that, in practice, the European Union, under the structural pressures of the international system and its economic and security needs, particularly in the areas of defense and trade cooperation, cannot adopt completely independent policies based on normative principles. This reality is in contrast to the declared positions of the European Union, which emphasize the protection of human rights and the resolution of the Palestine-Israel conflict in a manner based on justice and international law. However, in practice, the European Union, due to its economic and security dependencies, has not only been unable to exert intense pressure on Israel in many cases but has also, at times, preferred its strategic interests over normative principles. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that EU-Israel relations, particularly in recent years, are a direct consequence of structural realities and international pressures. Geopolitical and security imperatives have shaped this relationship, and the European Union faces many limitations in adopting policies independent of Israel. In the current circumstances, especially with geopolitical changes and new threats in the region, the EU is in a difficult position to easily adopt policies based on normative and legal principles towards Israel. This situation may lead to a decrease in the EU's diplomatic influence in the Palestinian-Israeli crisis and, in the future, the EU becoming a more passive actor in Middle East politics.
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