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Madeleine Feher Annual European Scholar Series

Designed to bring a European scholar to Israel for a short research fellowship and to develop close working relations between the academic communities of Europe and Israel, the program was generously endowed by Madame Madeleine Feher of Brussels.

Mainstream analysis of the current crisis in US-Iran relations revolves around “maximum pressure” sanctions and potential American military contingencies. There is another move, however, involving a unique set of knights on the regional chessboard – and one that comes straight out of Tehran´s own playbook.
On November 13th, 2006, the British Prime Minister Tony Blair came the closest to articulating his current vision of a British Middle Eastern policy. This policy contained worrying news for Israelis, who for years had viewed Mr. Blair as a strong supporter of Israel and defender of its interests. It is interesting to note the timing of Mr. Blair’s speech, given his intentions to leave office in 2007. In other words, the Prime Minister clearly attempted to introduce a long-term foreign policy framework for his successor.
The main objective of this paper is to explore the meaning of the concept of the West, and to use this analysis to better comprehend relations between Europe, the United States and Israel. It will analyze the feasibility of reinventing the West, not only as a geographical notion, but also as a common point of reference.
With the Arab-Israeli peace process stumbling, a growing malaise has been inflicted on Euro-Israeli relations as expressed in Europeans’ fierce criticism of Israel’s policy vis-a-vis the Palestinians and in Israel’s distrust of Europe’s motives and actions. While most Europeans condemn terrorism and suicide bombings against innocent Israeli civilians, they remain sympathetic to the plight and national aspirations of the Palestinians. For many Israelis, Europe is morally confused and hypocritical, constantly verging towards appeasement and anti-Semitism.
The further one moves away from European capitals, the more esoteric the topic ESDP is bound to appear. Its motivation and thrust is not easily understood, and confidence in its positive implementation does not abound. Europeans must be prepared for some tough questions. For the sake of a well-based assessment of ESDP and its implications, its historical background and its evolution since 1998 should be taken as a starting point.

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