BRUSSELS — Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid virtually attended the Israel-European Union Association Council meeting via Zoom today in Brussels.

The Association Agreement between Israel and the EU is the framework for their relations in all domains. The agreement was intended to be discussed and updated every year in a council, but because of diplomatic differences, especially on the Palestinian issue, it has not convened for over 10 years. Last July Lapid traveled to Brussels as foreign minister to participate in the European foreign ministers meeting, during which it was agreed to restore the Israel-EU Association Council and deepen ties.

The meting today is a victory for Israeli diplomacy, especially for Israel’s ambassador to the EU Haim Regev and for the political-strategic director of the Foreign Ministry, Aliza Bin Noun. Both have labored hard in the past few months for this meeting to take place.

Still, Lapid and European Union High Commissioner for Foreign and Security Affairs Josep Borrell seem to view the resumption of dialogue very differently.