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July 19, 2013
The E.U.’s New Guidelines on Israel Are Not a Boycott
By DANIEL LEVY
Has Europe just discovered a previously unused muscle that can be flexed
a little in the interest of Middle East peace? The leaking of European
Union guidelines barring E.U. support for projects based in occupied
territories has generated high political drama.
But first
of all it is worth clarifying that the guidelines apply only to
programs of the European Union, and not to those of its 28 member states
or to trade; that they constitute a codification of existing policy
rather than new policy; and that they are of minor significance in
economic terms (Europeans sources estimated that only 0.5 percent of
relevent E.U. project funding might be affected).
Europe,
in common with the rest of the world, has always considered the
settlements to be illegal under international law, and existing E.U.
agreements with Israel already contain stipulations barring benefits to
settlements.
This is
not a boycott of Israel. In fact, the guidelines facilitate the
continuation of hundreds of millions of euros in funding for projects
within Israel proper.
Nevertheless, the reaction in Israel has bordered on hysteria, conjuring a flood of economic consequences.
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