A senior Israeli policy expert is warning that Europe is once again ignoring clear and explicit threats—this time from Iran—despite lessons from history that such warnings should be taken seriously.
Shagiv Steinberg, CEO of the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs and Security, argues that the issue is not a lack of intelligence, but a persistent refusal to believe what is openly declared.
According to him, slogans such as “Death to Israel” and “Death to the West” are not internal rhetoric, but reflect a strategic intent backed by Iran’s growing regional military and proxy capabilities.
He stresses that Iran is already actively operating against European interests through its network of proxies, from involvement linked to the war in Ukraine to disruptions in Red Sea trade routes, and even activity within Europe itself. The core problem, he says, is not misunderstanding—but a conscious decision by Europe to look away.
