ABSTRACT
The Middle East has always been a principal area of European foreign policy concern, and was indeed one of the two subjects dealt with at the first European Political Cooperation meeting in November 1970. The aim of a peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict and more specifically of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is motivated by several interests, whose salience has remained high over the decades. The overarching interest is that of stability in the Middle East; stability which is marred principally, albeit not exclusively, by the festering conflict. Stability is in turn necessary for the fulfilment other corollary interests, including energy security, the eradication of political violence and migration management. Peace and stability in Israel and Palestine are considered important also because of Europe’s historical responsibility towards the conflict parties; from the Jewish holocaust to the betrayal of thePalestinians duringBritishmandatory rule. Religion is another key variable, calling for the peaceful coexistence between the three monotheistic religions in the region. Finally, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an important item on the transatlantic agenda, given US’s interests in the region. Given the overarching importance of transatlantic relations, EU actors have considered convergence and cooperation with the US over the Middle East to be of utmost importance.
