How about Israel does not strike preventively in 1967, making the Six-Day war a Six-Week war and capitalizing on continued European sympathy to secure "most favored nation" status. With European nations continuing to be Israel's first arms and industrial goods suppliers, the Israeli FM chooses a softer stance on decolonization issues and leans on France and Germany (using a mix of collective guilt and already strong industrial and economic ties) to make inroads with the EEC.
In 1972, as Great Britain and Ireland join the economic community, both Paris and Berlin see it in their interest to promote Israel's accession to full membership. Negotiations are initially arduous, and oppose pro- and anti-integration partisans among the two major trends of EU promoters : those who see the EEC as a geographically coherent trading bloc and those who think the concept of "European" must be seen through a cultural prism as well. The cultural partisans of integrating Israel into the EEC point out that the geographic position of the Hebrew state is no less relevant than Greece's not to mention the one of British/French/Dutch overseas territories. The "economic" partisans of Israel point out that the flux of goods and services between Israel and current EEC members, as well as the proximity of business practice and regulation already show a level of integration.
The debate goes on for years, but a way around the stumbling block of Israel's physical location out of Europe is finally found during the Yom Kippur war of 1973, amidst fears that the Arab armies will break Israeli lines. In a move that European capitals hope will dissuade the Arab nations to press on the offensive, London, Paris and Berlin issue a joint statement of solidarity with Israel and offer full membership, which is accepted by Jerusalem on the spot.
The Israeli victory is met with satisfaction by all parties in Europe (those who favored a clear European commitment in the ME as well as those who hoped the IDF would solve the crisis alone), which help finalize Israel's membership. The move -arguably the EEC's first geopolitical statement - also gives birth to a raging debate between those who only want a common market, and those who want a political Europe. The issue isn't settled until the mid-1980s, when the European Commission adopts its "Europe 1992" plan for a more integrated European Union.
In 1972, as Great Britain and Ireland join the economic community, both Paris and Berlin see it in their interest to promote Israel's accession to full membership. Negotiations are initially arduous, and oppose pro- and anti-integration partisans among the two major trends of EU promoters : those who see the EEC as a geographically coherent trading bloc and those who think the concept of "European" must be seen through a cultural prism as well. The cultural partisans of integrating Israel into the EEC point out that the geographic position of the Hebrew state is no less relevant than Greece's not to mention the one of British/French/Dutch overseas territories. The "economic" partisans of Israel point out that the flux of goods and services between Israel and current EEC members, as well as the proximity of business practice and regulation already show a level of integration.
The debate goes on for years, but a way around the stumbling block of Israel's physical location out of Europe is finally found during the Yom Kippur war of 1973, amidst fears that the Arab armies will break Israeli lines. In a move that European capitals hope will dissuade the Arab nations to press on the offensive, London, Paris and Berlin issue a joint statement of solidarity with Israel and offer full membership, which is accepted by Jerusalem on the spot.
The Israeli victory is met with satisfaction by all parties in Europe (those who favored a clear European commitment in the ME as well as those who hoped the IDF would solve the crisis alone), which help finalize Israel's membership. The move -arguably the EEC's first geopolitical statement - also gives birth to a raging debate between those who only want a common market, and those who want a political Europe. The issue isn't settled until the mid-1980s, when the European Commission adopts its "Europe 1992" plan for a more integrated European Union.
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