Uneasy Neighbors

Reviews / Votes

Israel is located historically, geo-politically and culturally between Christian Europe and Islamic West Asia. All the more interesting and important are the evolving "love-quarrel" relations between the European Union and Israel. Sharon Pardo's and Joel Peters' book provides a comprehensive description and penetrating analysis of these multi-dimensional relations as changing with time. It is obligatory reading for all interested in EU external relations, Israel's policy dilemmas and their dynamic interaction. -- Yehezkel Dror, Professor of Political Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem This is a rich and comprehensive overview of EU-Israel relations. The book fills a gap in the literature by approaching this strategic relationship from several angles (bilateral, multilateral, cognitive, economic, and political, to mention a few). The clarity of the analysis and the information provided makes this book essential reading for scholars, students and policy-makers. -- Sonia Lucarelli, University of Bologna At a time when EU-Israeli relations are approaching a crossroads, this volume is very timely. As experienced commentators on the vicissitudes of the Israeli-European relations, Dr. Peters and Dr. Pardo are ideally positioned to posit alternatives to the policy deadlocks of the past, whilst also acknowledging the positive achievements of the previous 60 years of interactions. For all those interested in the future of this critical relationship, the authors shed light on a critical dilemma that both Israelis and Europeans will soon have to face: do these societies really still reflect the same roots or are they moving in significantly different directions? How can they manage their shared interests and differences in the future -- Claire Spencer, Head, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House, London Uneasy Neighbors is a welcome contribution to an increasingly important aspect of the EU's external relations. The publication is particularly timely coinciding as it does with the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty and the EU's enhanced foreign policy capacity. The book will be essential reading for academics and graduates researching on EU-Israeli relations. -- Martin Holland, Jean Monnet Chair ad personam, Director, National Centre for Research on Europe, New Zealand Pardo (ben-Gurion Univ., Israel) and Peters (Virginia Tech) present a clear, concise introduction to EU and Israeli policies toward each other without taking sides, which is impressive in itself. They find that frustration is the defining characteristic of Israel-EU relations. Expectations are too high on each side, and this situation will not be easily overcome because the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is always a part of the picture. The EU accounts for one-third of Israel's international trade. Israeli leaders talk about formally enhancing their association with the EU through new treaty arrangements ? la the European Neighborhood Policy. Some even express the desire to join the EU. However, this is clearly not possible for reasons inherent in the internal politics of both the EU and Israel. Moreover the Israelis resist any participation on the part of the EU in the Middle East peace process. The Israeli press reports incessantly about anti-Semitism in Europe, whether its incidence is rising or declining. For their part, the EU wants better ties with Israel and with Arab countries. In the European view, this can only happen if the Israeli-Palestinian situation improves. Recommended. * Choice Reviews * This excellent work is the most comprehensive, thoughtful, and relevant account of the complex relationship between Israel and the European Union published so far. Sharon Pardo and Joel Peters approach the multifaceted and ambivalent nature of this relationship with truly impressive depth and clarity. This book is a 'must-read' for anyone interested in Israel's foreign relations and Euro-Mediterranean politics. -- Raffaella A. Del Sarto, Pears-Rich Fellow in Israel Studies, University of Oxford All in all, this book is a highly insightful, thoroughly researched analysis of Israeli-EU relations and, in filling a major research gap, it should remain relevant for some time to come. Pardo and Peters have proved yet again that they are excellent analysts of Israeli foreign policy and Israeli-EU relations, and that the study of EU external relations can indeed be stimulating. This is a must-read for anyone who follows the many facets of the complex relationship between two actors who are still searching for their real role in their neighbourhoods. * Cambridge Review of International Affairs *