Israel's Minister of Strategic Affairs Avigdor Lieberman is on a mission to get Israel to start thinking about perusing membership in the European Union and NATO. EU officials tell Israel that it is not located in Europe but is that stopping mostly Asian Turkey?
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That whole “not being in Europe” thing could be a problem. However, Israel would be perfect for NATO though I doubt some NATO members would be thrilled to defend Israel in a time of war.
Israel is in Asia, not Europe. Instead of looking backward to the time when some of us were in Europe, it would be in the best interest of all to try to form a commercial alliance with Israel’s neighbors. Perhaps this could be the solution for the problems in the region. It seems that when money is at stake, governments somehow work out differences.
The idea of EU membership is a natural.
Far more than Turkey, Israel is culturally Westernized and in addition, shares the same values and ethics as NATO and Europe. Their parliamentary democracy and hi-tech economy make them a good fit too.
If the EU and NATO see the long-term benefits and are willing to take the regional risk that will ultimately benefit themselves, it would benefit all concerned.