Why the EU Needs Israel for the Letta Plan to Succeed

 

In just a few days, I’ll be heading to Florence, Italy, to the European University Institute. I’ve been invited to attend a landmark lecture by Enrico Letta on his report, 'Much More Than a Market.' This blueprint is already being enacted by the European Commission, but as I prepare for this trip, I’ve identified a massive structural flaw that the Brussels elite are missing. I’ve just published my analysis on this in The Times of Israel, and today, I’m decoding why the EU’s 'Strategic Autonomy' is doomed to fail without Israel."

The Structural Flaw: Frozen in Time 

The problem is that EU lawmaking is frozen in time. Decisions like the 1980 Venice Declaration—nearly 50 years old—still dictate policy today. While I’m in Florence, I’ll be looking for signs that the EU is ready to move past these outdated blueprints. Currently, they are making geoeconomic policy based on a 'two-state' mantra that even the US and Saudi Arabia are moving away from.

The Geoeconomic Reality: Defense & Tech 

"Here is the reality the Letta report must face: Israel is a 'supernation' fueling the world’s tech and AI sectors. Europe currently absorbs over 50% of Israel’s total defense exports. You cannot claim to want 'Strategic Autonomy' while simultaneously alienating the very tech and defense hub that ensures your operational survival."

The "Fifth Freedom" & The Talent Exodus 

"Letta proposes a 'Fifth Freedom'—the free movement of research and innovation. But the EU’s ideological stance is causing a massive brain drain. We’ve seen a 138% spike in the exodus of top-tier Jewish talent from the EU in 2025. These are the innovators Letta’s plan needs. Without them, the 'Fifth Freedom' is a hollow promise."

The Remedy & What's Next 

I’ll be taking these concerns directly to Florence. Constitutional architect Andrew Duff proposed a centralized 'intelligence brain' to bypass these ideological traps, and it’s a solution the EU desperately needs.

I’ll be bringing you updates directly from the European University Institute throughout the week. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss my reports from the ground in Italy. What do you think? Is the EU sabotaging its own future? Let’s discuss in the comments."