Where is Israel exactly?

Question

Is it part of Europe, The middle east.... where? Since they are in the euro 2008 does that mean that they are european?

Answer 1

1. The framework for EU relations with Israel

EU relations with Israel are governed by the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership established through the EU-Israel Association Agreement and the regional dimension of the Barcelona Process.

Following the enlargement of the European Union, the EU launched the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) which is designed to give new impetus to the relationship within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.

1.1 The European Neighbourhood Policy

The objective of the European Neighbourhood Policy is to share with neighbouring countries the benefits of the EU’s enlargement to 25 Member States in 2004 through strengthening stability, security and well-being for all concerned. It is designed to prevent the emergence of new dividing lines between the enlarged EU and its neighbours and to offer them greater political, security, economic and cultural co-operation.

In practical terms, the Policy is achieved through the negotiation with partner countries of jointly agreed Action Plans, covering a range of fields in which the parties undertake to commit themselves. These include: political dialogue and reform; trade; measures preparing partners for gradually obtaining a stake in the EU’s Internal Market; justice and home affairs; energy, transport, information society, environment and research and innovation; and social policy and people-to-people contacts. On the basis of a Country Reportenpdf file for each of the ENP countries the Commission set about negotiating a joint set of commitments and measures intended to bring about the furthering of relations with partners.

The EU/Israel Action Plan pdf file was adopted by the Commission in December 2004. Action Plans have also been concluded with Morocco, Jordan, Tunisia and the Palestinian Authority. Negotiations on Action Plans with Egypt and Lebanon are in progress, and are expected to be concluded during the first half of 2006. An Action Plan with with Syria will be considered once the Association Agreement has entered into force.

For the Mediterranean countries – including Israel - the ENP will have a role to play in furthering the objectives of the Strategic Partnership with the Mediterranean and the Middle East pdf file

The EU/Israel Action Plan allows for the possibility for Israel to participate progressively in key aspects of EU policies and programmes, to upgrade the scope and intensity of political co-operation, to encourage the approximation of Israeli legislation as a means to opening the EU internal market to Israel, and for the pursuit of greater liberalisation of trade, services and agriculture. The Action Plan identifies inter alia as priorities co-operation in areas such as the Middle East conflict, counter-terrorism, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, human rights, improved dialogue between cultures and religions, migration issues, fight against organised crime, human trafficking and police and judicial co-operation, transport, energy, environment, science and technology, and people-to-people contacts.

Answer 2

Israel is technically in the Middle East. They are on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea between Turkey and Egypt (but closer to Egypt). Being in the Euro 2008 doesn't mean they're European -- it just means they're being allowed to participate on equal footing with the other European nations.

Answer 3

Israel is a Nation in the Middle East located along the coast of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. They are not part of Europe.

Answer 4

Excellent question. Nobody knows the exact location of Israel... it sort of hoovers all over the place. This has obviously been a constant source of irritation and war in the mid east. Regarding Israel's European ambitions, they have already snuck into the very heart of European affairs by competing in the annual Eurovision song contest. Not only that, they won it once.
The answer is both - Israel is part of Europe (one of the 7 continents) AND part of the mid east (a small region, partly in Europe, partly in Asia)

Answer 5

They are technically in the Middle East by geography, but as a Western style nation and possessing the only FUNCTIONAL democratic government in the Middle East (at least until we got one started in Iraq), they are more like Europeans in thought and culture than other Middle Eastern nations.

Answer 6

Israel is located on the western edge of the Meditteranean sea, and bordered by Lebanon, Syria, West Bank Palestine, and Egypt...

It is considered the middle east. They are definitely not part of the European continent.

Answer 7

Israel is Middle Eastern part of the continent of Asia

Answer 8

I am going to go on a limb here and say Geography isn't your strong suit. Israel is in the Middle East. Its near Egypt, Jordan, and Syria.

Answer 9

I've always wondered this too. I guess they feel a closer affinity to Europe than their Arab neighbours. They also enter the Eurovision song contest.

Answer 10

Asia, (middle east).