Today's meeting of the European Union's association council with Israel comes at a difficult, indeed a critical, time in their relationship. This was acknowledged yesterday by EU foreign ministers, who adopted a firmer tone on the subject.
They pointed out that the deteriorating situation between Israel and the Palestinians affects European security interests and emphasised their commitment to restore the international roadmap for peace, which recent events have reduced to tatters. In their meeting today they will hear a counter-argument from the Israeli foreign minister, Mr Silvan Shalom, on the need for a "more balanced" EU policy towards the conflict and on the dangers of a resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe, following the latest atrocities against synagogues in Turkey over the weekend.
The ministers insist the Israelis must change their policy of not engaging fully with the EU representative, Mr Mark Otte, and others who have been dealing with the Palestinian president, Mr Yasser Arafat. They are critical of the security wall/fence being built by the Israelis mainly on Palestinian territory, allegedly to deter guerrilla and suicide attacks. They underline Israel's dependence on trade with EU member-states. And they put these concerns in the wider context of regional and global stability after the Iraq war, which will be discussed in Brussels today by the US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell and highlighted by President Bush's controversial state visit to Britain this week.
It is high time the EU asserted its interests and potential influence more effectively on these Middle East issues. They are of critical importance for Europeans, who increasingly believe their leaders should be doing more about them and who do not trust the United States to represent their interests in a balanced fashion as next year's elections loom there.
The Israeli government has done its best to avoid or minimise European involvement; but it is now coming under more pressure at home and abroad to re-engage with the Palestinians. The prime minister, Mr Ariel Sharon, is beginning a three-day visit to Italy today, in an effort to probe disagreements among EU governments on their attitudes, given Mr Silvio Berlusconi's favourable approach to Israel. The Israeli government is also tempted to describe European criticisms of its policies and behaviour as anti-Semitic. Both these approaches should be firmly resisted by the EU council of ministers, in defence of their policy and the better to counter real instances of racism. But this requires a much more united and determined policy than they have hitherto displayed.