The European Union’s escalating conflict with Israel creates a profound crisis of conscience for many Jewish communities across Europe. They find themselves caught in a painful and complex position, torn between their identity as Europeans, their deep connection to Israel, and their diverse political views.
Many European Jews feel a strong, often familial, bond with the state of Israel, viewing it as a vital center of Jewish life and a guarantor of safety in a continent with a dark history of antisemitism. For them, EU sanctions against Israel can feel like an attack on their own identity and a betrayal by their home countries.
This can be compounded by a rising tide of antisemitism in Europe, which is often linked to criticism of Israel. Many Jews fear that official EU sanctions will further blur the line between legitimate policy critique and antisemitic sentiment, making them feel less safe in their own communities.
At the same time, the Jewish community in Europe is not a monolith. There are many progressive and liberal Jews who are themselves deeply critical of the policies of the current Israeli government and are horrified by the humanitarian situation in Gaza. They may find themselves in the agonizing position of agreeing with the EU’s critique while fearing the antisemitic backlash it could unleash.
This leaves European Jewry navigating a treacherous landscape, facing pressure from all sides. The EU-Israel crisis is not an abstract foreign policy issue for them; it is a deeply personal and existential one that touches on the core of their identity, security, and sense of belonging in 21st-century Europe.