An Evaluation within the Context of the European Union Foreign Policy: Special Case of the Arab-Israeli Conflict

The EU’s foreign policy in the Middle East is characterized by regional cooperation and partnerships. Given the strategic importance of the Middle East, the EU has paid particular attention to Arab-Israeli conflict. The formulation of the EU’s foreign policy in the Middle East began in the 1970s and has evolved to emphasize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In its security strategies, EU has identified the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a strategic priority for the Union and has committed to allocating resources to help achieve this solution. Following the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the EU launched its first joint actions and statements in the region and has since sought to play an active role in the Middle East Peace Process, issuing numerous declarations and statements. In the context of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the European Union has advocated a two-state solution as a mechanism to promote peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In its efforts to promote stability and peace in the region, the EU has supported the Palestinian right to self-determination, provided financial assistance to Palestinian people, and sought to maintain balanced relations with other Middle Eastern countries, particularly through commercial cooperation. The EU has sought to present itself as a normative force in its foreign policy, aiming to position itself as a catalyst for conflict resolution through its advocacy of democracy, human rights, and rule of law. On the other hand, the EU has also sought to ensure stability in the Middle East and address the Arab-Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts in order to protect its own interests and reduce threats to migration, border security, energy, and market opportunities. As a result, EU appears to be in an interest-norm dilemma regarding the Arab-Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, which constitute the focal point of its foreign policy in the region.