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Israel and the New Accession States of the European Union

(JCPA) Interview with Mark Sofer - On 1 May 2004, ten new countries were admitted into the EU, eight were Central and Eastern European. Israel's relations with almost all the Eastern European countries are influenced by a feeling of historical obligation toward Israel as a result of the Jews' fate there during the last century. All these countries want to shake off their communist past and concentrate on their democratic present, with the close relationship between the communist and Arab world an element of that past they want to throw off. Furthermore, these countries tend to have a pro-American outlook. There is also the absence of significant Muslim minorities. As democracy builders, these countries often feel an affinity with Israel because they recognize it as being the only democratic society in the Middle East, as opposed to the Arab countries. Public opinion polls in many of the new accession states show overwhelming support for Israel, a trend that is sadly unthinkable in the public opinion climate of Western Europe.
2006-04-28 00:00:00
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