It's Time For The EU To Impose Sanctions On Israel
The EU is emerging as the world's most significant political force that can put pressure on Israel.
Last updated: 29 Aug 2014 12:46
The dispossession of the Palestinian people has been and remains an internationalised endeavour. With the European Union (EU) as its largest trading partner and the United States as its largest military backer, Israel has no reason to reconsider its denial of Palestinian self-determination.
In fact, the latest carnage in Gaza, did not move the American public at all. A solid 57 percent of the Americans regarded Israel's recent offensive on Gaza as justified. In early August, US President Barack Obama stated that he has "consistently defended Israel's right to defend itself, and that includes doing what it needs to do" and that it's Hamas which is putting the Palestinians at harm's way. No major political figures in the US have come out staunchly against Israel's military aggression.
The American public views Israel positively in general. Recently, the portion of US citizens who have a favourable opinion of Israel has ranged from 60 percent to 72 percent. Furthermore, two thirds of Americans would either increase US military assistance to Israel or maintain the current level of aid.
Although the EU has followed the US in supporting Israel in the past, there are signs that this might change. EU citizens are way ahead in awareness and opposition to Israel's conduct from their American counterparts and therefore are much more likely to pressure their governments toward changing their policies towards Israel.
EU's budding reservations about Israeli policy
The way the over half a billion EU citizens view Israel in general and its policies towards the Palestinians in particular is undergoing a historic transformation.
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http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/08/it-time-eu-impose-sanctions-isr-201482991634326614.html
