Europe backs Israel in its fight with Iran

European governments, increasingly frustrated with Israel over the Gaza war, are giving Israel more diplomatic support and leniency in their showdown with Iran-at least for now.

While European leaders have been sharply critical of Israel over its ongoing war in Gaza, several countries have issued surprisingly broad public support for the Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

When it comes to Iran, the positions of the E3—Britain, Germany and France—have typically aligned closely with Israel’s. All three countries emphasize Israel’s right to self-defense and view the Iranian nuclear threat with grave concern, a stance that dates back to the original 2015 nuclear agreement.

On the Iran issue, Israel and Europe have long seen eye to eye, in part because many European governments distinguish clearly between the Iranian threat and the Palestinian issue.

This distinction is often shaped by public opinion. In many European countries, Arab-Muslim communities tend to be strongly critical of Israel. But among Iranian diaspora communities in Europe, support for Israel is notably high. European unease over Iran’s deepening alliance with Russia also plays a significant role in shaping this stance.

The rhetoric coming from European capitals has been notably supportive. Germany and France have explicitly recognized the Iranian threat and voiced their backing for Israel’s right to defend itself. Israeli spokespeople are, for the first time in a long while, encountering genuine interest, openness and a willingness to engage in substantive dialogue.

While for now Europe is onside with Israel on the issue of the Iranian threat, Europe’s tune could change, depending on how long Israel and Iran’s conflict drags out, and what happens during the conflict.

But for now, Israel for the first time in a while, is seeing clear public support from major European nations as they battle with Iran.