EU's policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict : analysing Hungary's position

Abstract

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been described as one of the longest conflicts of contemporary times. Academics and scholars have written extensively on the subject matter and have analysed multiple viewpoints on the conflict. As a result, whilst reviewing the literature concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict special attention was given to identifying gaps. Upon reviewing the literature available, the researcher realised that there is limited research available concerning Hungary’s foreign policy position of not supporting joint European Union statements on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which do not favour Israel. To understand Hungary’s foreign policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, an overview of the conflict and its important elements is necessary. Additionally, external actors’ foreign policy of those who are involved in the resolution of the conflict is detailed as it provides a wider understanding of the different reactions. One cannot analyse a country’s foreign policy on a particular matter without looking back at its history and how its foreign policy came to be. As such, an overview of Hungary’s foreign policy after the collapse of the Soviet Union is provided to give perspective. The relationships developed between Hungary and the main actors involved are of utmost importance. Throughout the dissertation, the researcher will analyse the relationship between Hungary and the EU, Hungary and Israel, and Hungary and Palestine. From analysing these relationships, the researcher can focus on identifying Hungary’s motivations for supporting Israel as opposed to the European Union’s consensus on the two-state solution.