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Does the EU Hear the Israeli Public?

(Jerusalem Post) Liora Henig Cohen - Last October, the EU Delegation to Israel published a tender, worth 285,000 euros, soliciting the assistance of local public relations companies to "change the negative image" of Europe in Israel. The proposal cites an EU-commissioned survey of the Israeli public that found that 55% see the EU as Israel's "enemy," while only 18% identify it as a "friend." The EU is seen as tone deaf, at best, in appreciating the Israeli perspective. The public sees how Europe flirts with BDS with product labeling and treats the anti-Israel movement as merely free speech. Israelis hear the repeated condemnations of Israeli policy concerning Area C of the West Bank, as if this is the major issue on the EU's agenda. Then there is EU and European funding for organizations that delegitimize Israel, including those with ties to groups which the EU itself designates as terrorist entities. Recently, the EU and a handful of countries instituted safeguards meant to prevent funds from reaching terrorist groups, including the introduction of an anti-terrorist clause in EU grant contracts. These measures have been met by strident protests from the Palestinians. We will see whether the new policies will be vigorously implemented. The writer is a senior researcher at NGO Monitor.
2020-02-14 00:00:00
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