Europe’s Anti-Israel Obsession Deepens Rift with US as Middle East Realigns

Europe’s growing hostility toward Israel is not just a diplomatic spat — it’s a profound ideological break with the United States and Israel that risks undermining core Western values like freedom of speech, religion, and democratic representation. According to GOL KALEV in The Jerusalem Post, Europe’s sanctions against Israeli political and religious leaders reveal an obsession with opposing the Jewish state that increasingly looks like an indirect assault on America itself.

While Europe fixates on punishing Israel, the US and Israel remain anchored in robust, shared ideologies—Americanism and Zionism—that sustain vibrant democratic debate and mutual resilience. This ideological foundation was on display recently when pro- and anti-Administration voices in the US united in condemning the assassination attempt on President Trump, underscoring a commitment to free speech even amid political turmoil. Similarly, Israel’s political rivals have managed to fight fiercely yet collaborate effectively, demonstrating a mutual assurance Europe lacks.

The chasm between Europe and the US/Israel is most visible in the context of the ongoing Iran war. Europe clings to the outdated myth that “balanced” criticism of Israel is necessary to maintain Arab relations. Reality has shattered this illusion. The war has revealed that Arab states increasingly see Israel not as a threat but as a vital military bulwark against Iran and its proxies. This shift demands a realignment of Middle Eastern defense lines, moving beyond century-old borders imposed by Europe for its own benefit.

Kalev argues that the Middle East now faces an opportunity to abandon Western-imposed peace templates like the “two-state solution,” which have perpetuated conflict, and instead embrace win-win deals exemplified by the Abraham Accords. His vision includes leveraging Israeli agricultural technology to develop vast underpopulated areas in Syria and Jordan, creating a “California in the Middle East” that offers economic opportunities and new security arrangements.

Such initiatives could also address the plight of Palestinian refugees long trapped in limbo by European policies and UNRWA’s dehumanizing framework. Expanding proposals like the Trump administration’s Gaza relocation plan to include 1948 refugees would finally grant Palestinians real choices and human rights, including freedom of movement and self-determination.

The recent dual assault on Israel—from Iran’s proxies and Europe’s ideological attacks—has only strengthened ties between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Unlike Europe, these neighbors now seek to benefit from Israel’s success and stability. Anchored in shared faith, nationalism, and conviction, the sister ideologies of Zionism and Americanism could pave the way for lasting peace that emancipates the Middle East from a century of European exploitation and division.

Europe’s refusal to recognize this new reality and its continued antagonism toward Israel not only threaten regional stability but also undermine the very values that define the Western alliance. The future of the Middle East—and its relationship with the West—depends on which side embraces this emerging new order.