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My question is, why does Israel count as European country when it comes to politics, sport and culture, although it belongs to Asia?

For example, Israel participates in the following organizations:

  • The Eurovision song contest.
  • UEFA.

Or When it comes to politic world, during the Corona crisis Heiko Maas , the German minister of foreign affairs, said that:

Germany sees Israel as part of Europe

I guess we could give numerous examples.

I try to be objective, they aren't closer or more far to European culture than for example Turkey, or Islamic countries but at least Turkey has a little bit of European land.

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    I have a good answer to this question but I am loath to answer it because it would indicate that this is a valid line of questioning. Whats next why do the arabs allow them to live? – SoylentGray Apr 9 '13 at 15:28
  • Initially, I assumed this was being asked in terms of, "Why does the EU recognize Israel as a European country?" I thought it poor, but I hacked out a response anyway. With the clarifications - examplewise - I see that this is a culture question, not a political one. This can be salvaged by finding a governmental organization that calls Israel European, but for now, I think it off topic. – Affable Geek Apr 9 '13 at 15:34
  • @AffableGeek - It is an anti semetic question "why is Israel included as the friend of anyone why do they not get shunned by all?" – SoylentGray Apr 9 '13 at 16:08
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    @Chad - that one's easy. Because arabs don't have a capability to NOT allow them to live. Palestinian National Charter to this day calls for full destruction of Israel despite them promising to remove that as part of Oslo accords. – user4012 Apr 9 '13 at 21:11
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    @Jimmy I would assume that this question was closed 7 years ago because it didn't provide a single example for its thesis which was actually of political relevance (sports leagues and TV singing competitions are not politically relevant) – Philipp♦ Oct 17 '20 at 8:32
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The same reason why some count Armenia to be European: politics. Armenia is totally in Asia, but the EU bodies consider it "culturally European" and treat as all other European countries.

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    Hard to say, these Caucasus countries aren't bad examples for exception, in description of Europe they don't include Israel, while your countries are included. I think Judaism isn't closer or more far culturally from Christianity than Islam. Their culture isn't so close to other European countries, for difference there is Kibbutz for example. – CsBalazsHungary Apr 9 '13 at 11:34
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    @CsBalazsHungary who "they"? – Anixx Apr 9 '13 at 11:36
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    @CsBalazsHungary I don't think I called you an antisemite, and if I implied that in some way, I apologise. My only intent was to point out that Kibbutzim, which you brought forth as an example of a culture that isn't so close to European countries, is in fact a concept that's heavily influenced by concepts that originated in Europe. I wouldn't call it a European concept, but it's not as far from European culture as you seem to think it is. – yannis♦ Apr 9 '13 at 12:32
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    @YannisRizos to answer to comment: Yes the basic idea origins from Europe, but still, it is not a practice here. Thinking of Ptolemaic Greek state, it was culturally European, but still it situated in Africa. – CsBalazsHungary Apr 9 '13 at 12:38
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    @CsBalazsHungary Yes, but that didn't stop Cleopatra from competing in and even winning Eurovision ;) – yannis♦ Apr 9 '13 at 12:40

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