The History and Importance of European Integration Studies in Israel

This paper examines the history and significance of European Integration Studies in Israel, offering insights into how ‘the local’ impacts Normative Power Europe. We argue that while the European Commission promoted the development of European Integration Studies in Israel, it simultaneously responded to local Israeli cultural filters and drew insights from both Israeli and European scholars. The paper demonstrates how European Integration Studies effectively strengthened Israeli-EU relations, connected Israeli scientific research and development to European initiatives, and highlighted the EU’s importance to Israeli higher education institutions for their future academic endeavors.