The pro-Israel lobby in Europe. The politics of religion and Christian Zionism in the European Union

The activities of pro-Israel pressure groups and lobbyists in the United States of America (USA) are well-known. But the pro-Israel lobby in Europe is less prominent in both academic and media accounts. The author identifies the pro-Israeli groups which attempt to influence policy-makers and implementers in the European Union (EU), specifically examining Christian Zionist groups.

Through a detailed study of the European Coalition for Israel (ECI), the only Christian Zionist lobby in Brussels, the author analyses whether and how a religious group can (and can fail to) influence decision-makers in the EU. By exploring the context of European relations with Israel as well as the mechanisms through which pressure groups are able to influence EU-wide policies, the author offers an analysis which demonstrates how the EU can be a site where religion and politics meet, rather than just being a secular institution.

Table of Contents:

• Introduction | Religion and lobbying in the European Union
• Europe's values and religion
• EU-Israel relations in context
• The ECI structure
• The ECI values
• The ECI strategy
• Conclusion