Story perspectives

Experts: EU's Crisis Deepens Amid Israel's Election Doubts

1/18/2026

Center

EU Criticism Intensifies

At a Jerusalem conference, experts say the European Union is in a worse state than Israel.
Experts say EU attitudes toward Israel shifted from empathy to harsh criticism, due to Russia and U.S. politics.
In Israel, a survey shows growing unease about the integrity of upcoming elections, particularly among Arab citizens.
65% of Israelis believe the elections will be fair.
Concerns about accepting election results highlight deep political divides.

Left

Israel Recognizes Somaliland

Israel's recognition of Somaliland marks a geopolitical shift as it seeks to counter threats from Iranian proxies such as the Houthis.
Somalia expresses anger over the recognition, while the Houthis warn that any Israeli presence would be a military target.
Analysts say the engagement with Somaliland, amid pressure from Somalia's federal government, fits a broader strategy to secure new allies amid regional tensions, though implications remain uncertain.

History

Historical Context

Since 2014, the European Union's foreign policy towards Israel has evolved amid rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly following the Gaza conflict that resulted in over 2,200 Palestinian deaths. This shift reflects a growing EU criticism of Israeli actions, influenced by geopolitical pressures and public sentiment, as seen in the increasing calls for recognizing Palestinian statehood by several EU member states.

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EU Criticism Intensifies

At a Jerusalem conference, experts say the European Union is in a worse state than Israel.
Experts say EU attitudes toward Israel shifted from empathy to harsh criticism, due to Russia and U.S. politics.
In Israel, a survey shows growing unease about the integrity of upcoming elections, particularly among Arab citizens.
65% of Israelis believe the elections will be fair.
Concerns about accepting election results highlight deep political divides.

1 / 3