The Role of NGO's in the EU debate on Israel-Palestine : A Case Study of the Expansion of a Different Jewish Voice

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2013-08
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en
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The conflict in Israel, between the Israeli and the Palestinians, has been going on for decades and several supranational organizations have played a role in finding a solution. One of these organizations is the European Union, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012 for making wars in Europe unthinkable. Since they achieved that, you would think they would be able to also achieve this in the surrounding countries that play a significant role in EUs policy. One of its main foreign policies is the European Neighbourhood Policy and both Israel and Palestine are part if this policy. However, this did not lead to peace within the region. As a result of this conflict several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were established. These NGOs try to put pressure on several institutions to fight for peace. The Dutch NGO ‘Een Ander Joods Geluid’ (EAJG), a different Jewish voice, has been focusing on Dutch politics and public opinion. But they feel that an expansion to the European Union would achieve more, since there place in the Dutch debate is very well developed and they are seen as a trustworthy organization. The focus of this thesis is on the influence of NGOs at the EU level with regard to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. This to be able to answer the central question of this thesis. Which is : How can a small Dutch NGO influence EU policy with regard to Israel-Palestine? This is studied to be able to develop a clearer view on NGO influence and the opportunities for those NGOs to expand their influence. But also to help increase the available information on the subject. This study is both academically and socially relevant. It adds to the debate around the issue and might help bring a solution to the conflict closer with more pressure of NGOs on the EU and from the EU on both countries.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen