| dc.description.abstract | Developed within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU-Israel Action Plan of December 2004 is notably vague on the envisaged political cooperation. The ambiguities reflect the need to reconcile divergent positions of the EU and Israel on the desirable type of relations in general, and the EU's role in Middle East peace-making in particular. Moreover, the expectations raised by the initial 'wider Europe' initiative on the Israeli side, along with EU-internal divergences on the 'right' approach toward Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, impacted on negotiations regarding the Action Plan. However, given that both sides eventually acknowledged the trade-offs that enhanced relations require, the Action Plan may, with the necessary caution, be considered an achievement. However, while its implementation will face considerable hurdles, emergence of a meaningful political cooperation will finally depend on the political will and, more importantly, a change of attitude on both sides. | |