Israeli
Isolation
(Signs of the Time - December 2004)
In the past 15 years, the Muslim community in France has grown from 1% of the whole to 10% of the total population of France. With higher than average birth rates and increased immigration, the Muslim population not only within France but also within Europe is sure to continue to rise. The primary concern of this increasingly vocal growing minority is directed against the nation and people that they despise – Israel.
Growing EU vs. Israel hostility
The Associated Press reported on October 13 that: “Israel is
set on a collision course with the European Union and could turn into
a pariah state, like South Africa during the apartheid years, if the Mideast
conflict is not resolved, Israel’s Foreign Ministry warns in a confidential
10-year forecast.”
The Israeli government document notes further that, “the European
Union is pushing to become a major global player in the next decade, and
as a result, the United States, Israel’s main ally, could lose international
influence.”
The analysts wrote that if the EU, a 25-nation alliance, overcomes internal divisions and speaks in one voice, its global influence would grow considerably, and be more in line with its powerful economy.
According to the analysis, a more influential Europe would likely demand
greater Israeli compliance with international conventions and could try
to limit Israel’s freedom of action in its conflict with the Palestinians.
Israel might also have to pay a price for growing competition between
the European Union and the United States.
Israel-EU relations have long been shaky, and Israeli Foreign Minister
Silvan Shalom has repeatedly warned that, “Israel has to work
to strengthen ties with Europe. However, Israel accuses the Europeans
of pro-Palestinian bias and complains of a growing wave of anti-Semitism
in parts of Europe. EU officials in Brussels said that while the EU and
Israel have sound relations in trade and scientific research, they have
definite differences over Mideast peacemaking.”
Israeli trade
With the expansion of the EU and a new open-borders approach, Israel’s
largest trading partner is now the European Union. For the past decade,
Israel has utilized the EU to trade with other Arab nations, using the
EU as a third party vehicle. With the increased voice of Muslims in the
EU, this trade, along with conventional trade to EU members, is drying
up. In order to restore normalcy, the EU is attempting to arm twist Israel
into a full-fledge peace plan with the nations around them. As reported
in the Associated Press, the foreign policy chief of the EU said: “We
have had difficult moments (with Israel) when we responded to things like
the West Bank wall and now what is happening in Gaza. As well, Israel’s
planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005 must be followed by major
troop withdrawals in the West Bank, and pave the way for Palestinian statehood.
None of this is exactly what the Israelis want to hear, but we have to
say it.”
Israel sensitive to need for peace
According to the Foreign Ministry document, which was written in August,
Israel could become increasingly isolated in the coming years if it fails
to resolve the conflict with the Palestinians. In the best possible outcome,
with the Mideast conflict moving toward solution, Israel and the European
Union would still not be on good terms, the document said.
Growing Muslim influence in US
With the EU-Israel friction growing, there remains for them one consistent
friend in the world, the United States. The U.S. has always maintained
strong relationships with the Israeli government.
With a strong religious and financial backing from the American Jewish
community, the U.S. government has consistently favored Israel particularly
in respect to modern weapons for her military. Similar to France, however,
the Muslim population within the United States is increasing at a far
greater rate than is that of American Jewry. For example, in New York
State during the last decade, the Jewish population has declined while
the Muslim element has increased five-fold to where it is now 5% of the
whole. In any democracy, politicians are sensitive to the will of the
electorate and the pressures felt by European politicians can be seen
rising in the States.
We are told, God will bless those who bless Israel and curse them who
oppose her (Gen. 12). As the popular vote swings across Europe, it is
evident that those cursing God’s people will far outnumber those
blessing them. It will only be through divine intervention that this cycle
will be broken.
George Rayner