Europe Lacks Tools to Pressure Israel, Analyst Argues
A recent statement by the British Foreign Secretary in London, joined by several other European nations, has been met with criticism. The author argues that despite the strong rhetoric, these European declarations are largely symbolic and lack real impact on Israel.
The article contends that Europe's economic leverage over Israel is minimal, citing trade figures. Israel's largest trading partner among the European signatories is the UK, with a total trade of $6 billion annually. The author suggests that even if sanctions were imposed, Israel could easily circumvent them by rerouting trade through third parties. The direct impact on Israeli exports and imports, even from settlements, is estimated to be less than $700 million per year, representing a negligible fraction of Israel's national budget.
The author dismisses the collective economic power of the listed European countries, totaling approximately $6.945 billion in trade with Israel, as insufficient to pressure Jerusalem. The piece suggests that European nations are no longer global powers and their declarations are an attempt to maintain relevance rather than a serious threat.
Furthermore, the article questions Europe's ability to enforce such measures, pointing to perceived weaknesses in their military, border control, and demographic trends. The author concludes that Israel can withstand these symbolic gestures, comparing them to the 'dying throes' of a declining power.
