The İsraeli-Palestinian conflict case and the European foreign policy

ivABSTRACTThis study aims at assessing the international effectiveness of the EuropeanUnion (EU) with special reference to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The nature ofthe European foreign policy is reflected in the positions and actions of the EU inthe Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Therefore, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is aconvenient case for examining the long term progress and outcomes of theEuropean foreign policy. In the thesis, the political, economic and social impactsof the EU on the Israeli-Palestinian case are analyzed by studying thedevelopment of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the European foreign policy. Inthe first chapter, the development of the European Common Foreign and SecurityPolicy (CFSP) is reviewed. In the second chapter, the approach of the EU to theconflict is evaluated within the context of European Political Cooperation andCFSP. In the third chapter, the activities of the EU in international arena areanalyzed with special reference to the case in question. In conclusion, it isobserved that the EU as a civilian power plays a secondary role, assisting andcontributing to the implementation of international policies on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is also observed that in the case of the Israeli-Palestinianconflict, the approaches and actions of the EU and the member states areharmonious and consistent.Key Words: European Union, European Political Cooperation, CommonForeign and Security Policy, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Euro-MediterraneanPartnership, European Neighbourhood Policy, Civilian power.