Across European capitals, a familiar duality is taking shape. In official statements and international forums, EU governments harshly criticize Israel’s conduct in Gaza, invoking humanitarian concerns and calling for restraint.
Yet, within security establishments and strategic circles, these same governments quietly seek out Israel’s battle-proven expertise and defense cooperation.
This paradox is more than political optics. It reflects a deeper tension between public posturing and strategic necessity. As global threats rise and European security structures face increasing strain, especially along NATO’s eastern flank, many capitals have come to depend on the capabilities developed by Israel, not through theory or simulation, but through sustained operational experience.
Israel’s defense ecosystem is shaped by necessity and refined through real-time confrontation with persistent threats. This unique context produces groundbreaking technology alongside – and more importantly – a depth of institutional knowledge and operational agility that European states, many of which lack comparable combat exposure, increasingly find indispensable.
The appeal of a defense partnership with Israel lies in its demonstrated ability to adapt swiftly, integrate intelligence with operational planning, and respond decisively under pressure. These attributes resonate strongly in an era where geopolitical certainties are eroding and traditional deterrents are being tested.
Europe's calculated stance toward Israel
Yet, despite this growing appeal, much of Europe’s defense engagement with Israel remains discreet. At defense expos, Israeli firms may be present but not prominently featured. Strategic dialogues unfold quietly. Procurement decisions are pursued with minimal publicity. It is a calculated posture: benefit from Israeli know-how, while minimizing public association amid political sensitivities.
This contradiction has sharpened in recent months. The war in Gaza has inflamed European public opinion, prompting calls for sanctions and reevaluation of bilateral ties. Still, behind the scenes, defense cooperation continues. Governments are navigating a fine line, condemning Israel in public while embracing its capabilities in private.
At its core, this is not a matter of public relations. It is a test of Europe’s strategic coherence and moral clarity. European leaders must ask themselves: is Israel a democratic partner facing real, ongoing threats, or merely a convenient repository of military expertise? The current approach, drawing on Israel’s experience while withholding solidarity, amounts to a form of strategic opportunism.
Such a framework is unsustainable. Partnerships grounded in quiet reliance and overt political distancing are inherently unstable. If Europe acknowledges the value of Israel’s contributions and its consistent actions suggest that it does, then that recognition must be reflected not only in policy but in rhetoric and diplomacy.
Except for a few high-profile deals, including Germany’s acquisition of the Arrow missile defense system, most transactions with Israel’s defense industry remain under the radar. This discrepancy, between private reliance and public hesitation, creates a contradiction that undermines Europe’s strategic coherence and weakens mutual trust.
Recognition must go beyond a transactional view of technology; it demands an open acknowledgment of Israel’s status as a democracy with a legitimate right to self-defense. While the European Union affirms this right, it simultaneously insists on strict compliance with international law and the laws of armed conflict. This legal framework, though vital, subjects Israel to disproportionate scrutiny (even hypocrisy) as it confronts immediate and complex security threats. Navigating these demands while safeguarding its citizens remains a constant challenge for Israel.
In an era of rapidly evolving threats, effective defense requires more than advanced technology. It calls for proven operational experience. With all due respect to political considerations, the imperative to protect civilian lives is real, and Israel has consistently demonstrated its reliability in doing so.
The writer is a retired Israeli diplomat who served as ambassador to Hungary and Croatia, following a distinguished career in various senior diplomatic and strategic roles.