ABSTRACT
Europe’s approach vis-à-vis the Middle East/Israeli–Palestinian conflict constitutes an integrated example of the evolution of the European foreign policy system: as the instruments of EC/EU foreign policy were enhanced, Europe’s stance towards the conflict became more consistent. At the same time, this approach had to be developed on the basis of Europe’s institutional constraints and, in particular, its dual method of operation: the community and the intergovernmental methods. More or less, Europe’s approach towards the conflict had to find a balance between its political will to contribute to a solution and its institutional limitations, coupled with a continuous discrepancy between its rhetoric and its concrete engagements.
Since the first official EPC declaration regarding the resolution of the conflict back in 1973, Europe’s stance nowadays has put forward a rather comprehensive approach: political declarations, financial and humanitarian aid, and presence on the ground. This approach is basically designed and implemented by the Council and the Commission. Yet, throughout the years, the European Parliament, gradually disentangled by institutional constraints, has managed to acquire a significant complementary role. This analysis focuses on the EP’s role in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, aiming at assessing its international role in Europe’s turbulent neighbouring region.
