The European Union as a normative power and its relations with Israel

Abstract

The relationship between the European Union (EU) and the State of Israel is as layered as it is convoluted. Since diplomatic relations were established between the two entities in 1959, relations between Israel and the EU have developed in such a way that today, both entities enjoy cooperation in different areas which include important sectors such as trade, culture and technology. While the relationship between Israel and the EU has been at times overshadowed by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the EU has constantly strived to promote its norms through its stances and overall relations with Israel. The concept of a ‘Normative Power Europe’ (NPE) has been repeatedly cited as the framework which governs the relations between the EU and international actors and this dissertation will analyse two specific cases concerning Israel where NPE takes centre stage in namely, the labelling issue that pertains to goods originating in Jewish West Bank settlements, and the distribution of EU funds to Arabs under the jurisdiction of Israel. The objective of this dissertation is to examine the relationship between Israel and the EU all while studying this issue in the context of the EU’s promotion of norms in world politics in context of NPE. The impact of NPE on the entire population in Israel, as the receiving end of EU norm promotion, will be given special consideration. The case studies will also highlight and reflect upon the effect that EU member states have on the NPE approach, which is important given the varying, sometimes complex relationships that exist between specific member states and Israel. This analysis also identifies a number of shortcomings within the NPE approach and makes a number of recommendations on the interpretation of the relationship between these two entities.