The Forum on Israel-Europe Relations failed to articulate clear answers to Mr. Temkin's question on the future of Israel's relations with the EU. Yet, the answer is quite simple.
Israel should strengthen its trade and R&D relations with the EU on all levels, on one hand. As to the integration of Israel into the EU framework, we should be aware that we are and will always be an integral part of the Middle East, and not of Europe. Otherwise it would be wishful thinking leading to disappointments, sooner or later. This is why I strongly disagree with Mr. Plada, who argued that "we are already in the European area".
We are in the Middle East area, and we have the responsibility of taking the lead in pro-actively shaping our region together with our Arab neighbors. It seems, this is a lesson we have yet to learn. However, it makes sense to associate us to the EU or whatever country, but only to the degree necessary for healthy bilateral trade relations.
Any steps beyond this approach will cause Israel to assimilate to foreign circumstances. History already proved that whenever we tried to assimilate (eg, to be German Jews, to be American Jews, or like now, to be European Israelis), the result was very disappointing, resulting in destruction or rejection, as has happened in Germany in the first half of the 20th century.
Therefore, we should bear in mind that we prosper as long as we assume a kind of intellectual leadership, as shown today in the field of R&D, for example. Europe's desire to cooperate with Israel in this area, and Europe's feeling that we were neglecting them relative to the US, is a subtle sign what the world is expecting us to be: intellectual leaders, forerunners, and pioneers. Isn't that the role we know best and feel most comfortable with?
Ahim Benavraham
Tel Aviv