The Europeanization of Germany's Foreign Policy toward the Israeli–Palestinian Conflict: Between Adaptation to the EU and National Projection

Abstract

Using the Europeanization concept as framework of analysis, this article examines the interaction of Germany's national policy with Europe's collective foreign policy in a central policy area – the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. It argues that Germany's conflict resolution policy evolved in close interaction with Europe's common foreign policy. Germany has relied on EPC/CFSP as a framework to pursue national objectives and foreign policy priorities more effectively. What is more, four decades of European foreign policy co-operation toward the Israeli–Palestinian conflict also impacted on the substance and practices of Germany's national foreign policy, providing a cover for a more ‘even-handed’ and active policy.