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Exploring EU Foreign Policy in the Israel-Palestine Conflict through National Policy Divergences
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This webinar will zoom in on the divergent national policies of European Union (EU) member states and how they challenge a unified EU Foreign Policy, especially when grappling with intricate issues such as the Israel-Palestine conflict. The event will delve into the EU’s, French and German political cultures, discussing how historical, political, institutional and cultural factors shape their distinct stances on the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
The discussion will go beyond traditional diplomatic analyses, incorporating elements such as demographics and historic political polarizations:
How did France and Germany’s engagement with both Israel and Palestine look before the 7th of October?
How did the EU respond?
Does the French demographic composition have a big impact on EU Foreign Policy ?
What does it mean when German politicians stress that the “Security of Israel is the prime motivation for Germany”?[1]
By discussing these questions, the event seeks to unravel the tapestry of EU foreign policy in addressing the Israel-Palestine conflict. Online attendees can expect a nuanced exploration of the impact of domestic considerations on the effectiveness and coherence of EU collective action in this critical arena. In the first segment, three speakers will share their insights, drawing attention to the divergences in national policies both within and between France and Germany. The second part of the webinar will transform into an engaging and participatory experience. Attendees will have the opportunity to actively exchange ideas with the speakers and fellow participants in breakout rooms.
Through expert presentations and interactive sessions, this event aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by the EU in navigating the intricate web of national interests, historical foundations, and contemporary internal political dynamics of its member states.
Meet our speakers
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Frédéric Charillon is a university professor at Paris Cité University, and co-director of the Geopolitics Defence and Leadership programme at ESSEC Business School. He also teaches at Sciences Po, at Clermont Auvergne University and at the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fez. He directed the Centre for Studies in Defence Social Sciences (Ministry of Defence, Paris), the Strategic Research Institute of the Military School, and coordinated the teaching of international issues at the ENA.
He publishes a weekly column in the daily newspaper L'Opinion, and has published numerous works, including Wars of Influence (Odile Jacob, 2022), France in the World (CNRS, 2021), Global Diplomacy (with Th. Balzacq and F. Ramel, Palgrave, 2020).
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Peter Lintl is a political scientist at the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (German Institute for International and Security Affairs) in the Middle East and Africa research group and heads a research project on Israel.
He studied political science, history and philosophy in Erlangen, Haifa and Tel Aviv. His research focuses on religion and politics, tradition and modernity and various Israel-related topics. His publications include "Die Charedim als Herausforderung für den jüdischen Staat", "Israels Nationalgesetz" and "Akteure des israelisch-palästinensischen Konflikts".
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Nina is a YSC Fellow, currently completing a MA in Contemporary European Studies at the University of Bath and the Humboldt-University of Berlin. Her focus lies on the political conflict in the Middle East and she is planning to write her thesis on the security and foreign policy of the EU in that region. At the moment, Nina is working at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Berlin, gaining practical experience in a political working environment.
Registration
To join this webinar, please register via the form below. We will contact you with the link to join upon successfull registration.
This event was made possible thanks to the Bundesyentrale für politische Bildung and the Franco-German Youth Office at DFJW.
