Israel needs to rely on the European Union to safeguard its survival, according to Israeli diplomatic officials.

The Jerusalem Post reported Friday:

Israel is increasingly “plugging into” EU institutions and, in turn, allowing European political and economic influence to play a greater part in its diplomatic and economic processes, the Jerusalem Post has learned.The thinking within the Foreign Ministry is that it is time to reassess the Jewish state’s traditional line that Israel’s survival rests on two pillars only: a strong idf and an unbreakable alliance with America. What is becoming evident is the increasing understanding of the importance the European Union plays in world events and in the Middle East particularly, officials say.

The Post cites a senior Israeli diplomatic official as saying, “Increasingly, Europe is involved in everything that touches us: trade, the Palestinians, Iran, unifil in Lebanon. They are in the Quartet, and many other examples. Developing a strong relationship with Europe is becoming the third pillar safeguarding Israel’s survival.”

One way Europe’s further involvement with Israel may play out is through nato. The Post reports that the United States is considering a plan that would see nato forces replace the Israel Defense Forces in the West Bank. Although Israel is yet to offer an opinion on the plan, EU Middle East envoy Marc Otte said that there was “definitely more interest than in the past” for the idea from both the Israeli and Palestinian sides.

According to the Jerusalem Post, “Since nato forces are already deployed in areas like Kosovo and Afghanistan, and with the bulk of U.S. armed forces concentrated in Iraq, Europe would likely be asked to fill the ranks should the nato-West Bank deployment materialize.”

Israel has also recently submitted a detailed plan to the EU asking it to enter into negotiations on cooperation in nine different areas. According to the Post, “The cooperation would entail ‘significant’ Israeli inclusion into an array of EU institutions in fields such as finance, education, environment, youth development, law enforcement, security cooperation and scientific research collaboration.”

The EU is considering the proposal, and has said it will give Israel a preliminary answer by mid-march.

EU troops are currently stationed just across Israel’s northern border as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (unifil), and they do not plan on leaving in the immediate future.

The Trumpet has long forecast that eventually the Jews will feel compelled to request assistance from Germany. Israel’s current efforts to increase ties with the EU may be the start of this. This biblically prophesied event is of enormous significance. Read Joel Hilliker’s most recent column, “Trusting in Foreigners,” to find out where Israel’s increasing tendency to rely on international forces will lead.