Since the oil embargo of 1973, Europe came to the realisation that its prosperity is contingent on Middle East stability. This is why the Europeans made serious attempts to mediate the peace process, including the Venice Declaration of 1980, in which European nations pledged support to Palestinian self-government, and the Oslo Accords of 1993, which reiterated the same principle. Unfortunately, these efforts were crushed by Israel's refusal to stop building settlements in the occupied territories. The International Quartet, which launched its work in 2000 and came up with a roadmap in 2003, fared no better. Having tried to cajole, chide, or shame the Israelis into making a credible deal with the Palestinians to no avail, the Europeans felt short-changed and slighted. Still, Europe shied away from doing the obvious, which is to impose sanctions. Meanwhile, European civil society groups were beginning to put their foot down. For example, some UK universities discontinued academic cooperation with Israel; European banks declined credit to Israeli companies working in the occupied areas; several consumer associations boycotted Israeli products; and European trade unions refused on occasion to unload ships flying the Israeli flag. Slowly but surely, some European governments started to take unilateral action. Norway, which is not a EU member, sold its stock in companies that participated in the building of the separation wall. Also, a Norwegian financial fund terminated its involvement in Africa-Israel Investments due to the latter's involvement in building in the occupied territories. Finally, on 19 July 2013, the EU took a substantial step. Its chief diplomat, Catherine Ashton, issued a statement saying that all EU agreements with Israel do not apply to the occupied territories. The EU has also issued guidelines barring Israeli organisations and companies operating in the occupied territories from EU financial assistance, including research grants, effective January 2014. The reaction of Israeli politicians was one of disbelief. They said that the EU was only undermining the future of the peace process, and threatened to block Europe from participating in future negotiations. Israel also hinted that it might block EU companies from lucrative business in the infrastructure projects of Area C in the West Bank. It is not clear for now if the recent measures by the EU are a bluff or a pattern. If the EU decided to move on from this slap on the wrist to full-fledged sanctions, this would be a landmark in the history of this region. It will also signal that Europe is finally willing to act independently from America in something that truly affects its security and safety.
The writer is managing director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs.
