EU conference aims to rebuild Israel

The EU will host a conference of prominent political officials on Monday for the first time in ten years in an effort to restart its frequently difficult ties with Israel next week. The EU-Israel Association Council meeting structure has effectively been inactive since 2013, after Israel called off a session in protests over the EU's position on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Since then, disagreements between the two groups on related problems have persisted.

However, the end of hard-line in 2021 Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, paved the way for the present warming of relations. His successor, Yair Lapid, who not only serves as foreign minister, has endorsed a two-state solution with Palestine, which is more line with the policy of many EU nations, even though on Monday, a number of other nations are still anticipated to criticise Israel's behaviour toward the Palestinians. In light of Russia's involvement in the war in Ukraine, Brussels is also ready to support Israel's gas exports.

The Czech Republic will hold the alternating six-month EU presidency, and there is anticipation that the impending association council between the EU and Israel would "put... a new wind into our partnership." Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsk expressed this confidence during the United Nations General Assembly.

Traditional pro-Palestinian nations include Sweden and Ireland. On his way to the U.N. general assembly earlier in the month, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met the with Irish prime minister in Dublin. Israel, on the other hand, enjoys significant backing from the EU. Viktor Orbán, the prime minister of Hungary, and Benjamin Netanyahu have developed strong political and economic ties over the years, making Hungary a steadfast friend.

The EU-Israel council had been a place for officials to routinely meet and address these problems for more than ten years prior to its demise. Currently, member nations are adjusting an official statement that must take into account the range of viewpoints with the council ready to be reactivated.