To What Extent Is the European Union United? Emerging Tensions between Eastern and Western Europe

The desire to establish a united European collective is currently tested by weighty issues challenging the unity of the European Union and the ability of its leaders to shepherd it toward a secure future. A central issue, especially following the immigration crisis of 2015, is the destabilization of relations between East and West European nations. This essay examines how tensions between East European nations (the Visegrád Group) and the EU’s Western members are manifested, considers if the tensions in fact undermine EU stability, and analyzes the implications for Israel.