Israel has warned that growing political hostility from EU states such as Spain and Ireland must not be allowed to undermine counterterrorism cooperation, as diplomatic tensions between Jerusalem and Brussels hit one of their lowest points in years.
The warning came from Jonathan Rosenzweig-Abu, deputy head of the Mission of Israel to the EU and NATO, speaking at a recent event in Brussels, where he insisted that despite repeated political crises, the underlying partnership between Israel and the EU remains essential.
Rosenzweig-Abu recalled that the ties between Israel and the EU “are bound by a shared history, common values and common interests,” and that this foundation remains intact despite diplomatic ups and downs. “I have seen a decade of ‘yes, there is an Association Council, no there isn’t’, and many episodes of tension, but the general direction is the same,” he explained, stressing that geography is decisive: “We are obliged to work together, whether we want to or not.”
Asked about relations with countries like Spain or Ireland, whose governments have recently been particularly critical of Israel, Rosenzweig-Abu was blunt: “We do not play with security issues.” He recalled that Israel, together with European services, recently managed “to dismantle Hamas infrastructure in Europe,” an example, he said, of how counterterrorism cooperation is non-negotiable. “It does not matter in which state the threat is being built; we act the same,” he said.
That commitment, he insisted, is not used as a political tool. Even if some governments reject diplomatic contact, Israel continues to provide intelligence, technology, and operational support because “it is a shared responsibility and part of Europe’s security.”
Regarding the escalation of tensions with Madrid, Rosenzweig-Abu lamented the Spanish government’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state: “It is a sad move, because it will be interpreted by extremist elements in a very negative way,” he said. He noted that the current climate has generated “more violence against Jewish communities.”
Even so, he dismissed any rupture with Spain or other countries: “For now I do not see Israel breaking relations; in the end it is a political decision.” The keyword, he said, is “frustration,” but not “disconnection.”
Asked about pressure from traditionally friendly states over violence by radical settlers in the West Bank, Rosenzweig-Abu said the Israeli government has sent “a very clear message: it is unacceptable.” He insisted that the authorities were “acting firmly,” pointing to a rise in indictments in recent months compared to a year ago as evidence that the problem is being actively pursued.
“Do we want it to reach zero?” he added. “Yes, but as with any crime, it is not always possible.”
Commenting on recent diplomatic shifts—includingthe closure of Israel’s embassy in Ireland and the opening of new missions in Moldova and Estonia—Rosenzweig-Abu said that “the world is changing, and we must adjust.”
He also noted that Israel does not come to the EU seeking funds: “We do not ask for budgets to sustain ourselves, we contribute,” he said. “We are also fighting Europe’s fight.”
He argued that Israel strengthens the relationship through research, innovation, and security cooperation, even if this is often overlooked in Europe’s political debate.
He said he hoped relations with the EU would grow “stronger, closer and more mature” in the years ahead, with deeper formal and informal cooperation. “We have much more that unites us than the opposite,” he said.
With Ireland due to assume the EU Council presidency in 2026, Israel expects the relationship to remain complex. But “geography and history oblige us to understand each other,” Rosenzweig-Abu said.
