Allotting roles

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It is clear from statements made by Javier Solana during his recent visit to Israel that the EU is taking a stand on the separation wall consistent with the judgement of the International Court of Justice and the UN General Assembly on the matter.

Interestingly, Israel was the result of a European project. Europe's aim was to create a permanent entity that would protect its strategic interests within the dying Ottoman Empire's sphere of influence. The creation of Israel, though, coincided with a crucial change. The US eventually replaced Europe as Israel's main benefactor, something David Ben Gurion actively encouraged. Ben Gurion managed to convince the US of the important role Israel could play in protecting US interests in the region, extracting from Washington a commitment to provide security and political backing.

Israel's role in protecting US strategy did not always run parallel with European interests. As the US promoted a Greater Middle East with Israel at its head, Europe began to look towards a Mediterranean partnership within which Israel could have only a marginal role. Alarmed by Israeli policies undermining security in the Mediterranean, the EU stopped short of endorsing US plans for a Greater Middle East.

Oddly enough Israel does not seem particularly keen on playing the role the US has envisioned for it. Under Sharon Israel has consistently acted as a loose cannon bent on indiscriminate destruction and indifferent to the political price the US has to pay for blindly supporting Israel's policies. Israel insists on undermining US interests, a fact that the White House seems willing to ignore in order to appease the Zionist lobby ahead of the elections.

Meanwhile, Arab policy continues to lack inspiration and direction. The future stability of the region now hinges on US-European agreement on the nature of Israel's -- and perhaps even Turkey's -- role with Arab vital interests by now beneath notice.