It is important to treat problem as challenges that can be embraced. The Israel project is bipartisan that aims to sustain Israel’s position in the US and Europe. Israel has thrived due to its Zionism which constitutes its corpus and that it is a creative democratic state. Civic equality remains a constant aspiration of the state of Israel. At critical moments of Israel’s history, Israel has been willing to make historic compromises for peace.

The Lebanon war is different from previous conflicts and challenges. Iranian leaders supported terrorist activities and whose stated goals is the elimination of the state of Israel. Sustaining Israel’s position is to deny Iran’s aspirations. Iran’s threat was shaped by the war in Lebanon. Israel has great assets and friends and allies. We should figure out how to address the problem. The US must also educate Europe on the nature of the threats.

The Israel Project has conducted surveys for three years in Europe and the US. The European countries where surveys were conducted were Britain, France and Germany.

In Britain 51% are worried about Iran. When asked what is the reason for Iran’s attempt to acquire nuclear materials, they say it is to constitute nuclear weapons. Yet there is declining interest in the nature of this threat.

In the US, over 70% are worried and two thirds say it is for nuclear weapons.

When asked in Britain what they were worried about in Iran, they stated free speech and women’s rights. Thus it is the character of Iran which is problematic for many in Britain. Their second concern is that Israel will be wiped off the map. It is a major concern that a state can deny the existence of another. In France for elites, the major concern was Iran’s funding of terrorist cells. Secondly was wiping Israel off the map. In Germany the major concern is Iran’s increasing weapons capabilities that can be undetected when in flight.

Increasingly Europe perceives Islamic violence as emerging from fundamentalism with absolutist means and ends. In the US it is 71% that subscribe to this world-view. In Germany over 80% support a ban on weapons sales to Iran, whilst over 70% support economic sanctions. In Britain there is less support for a ban on weapons sales. In the US, 83% support economic sanctions on Iran whilst 70% support sanctions, even if this leads to an increase in fuel prices.