CEE 7/7 is the defacto european standard and is used by hundreds of millions of people. It's most definitely not a new standard being developed. Apart from a few odd ball countries (Denmark, Italy, Switzerland, the UK & Ireland), CEE 7/7 plugs fit everywhere else.
Ignoring the UK system, the problem is that the Danish, Italian and some swiss outlets happily mate with a CEE 7/7 plug but make no earth/ground connection.
The UK system's not compatable with CEE 7/7, but for the sake of similicity it'd be handy if it were to be replaced.
As for the Israeli system, I have no idea what they're up to!
Adopting CEE 7/7 is the only decision that would make any sense. It may even be possible to make a CEE 7/7 compatable outlet that also accepts the exsisting Israeli system's plugs.
Israel however, doesn't have to do anything to EU standards if it doesn't want to.
It's not as complicated as it sounds in Europe.
Also, with non-grounded appliances, the 2-pin plugs fit everywhere (except the uk and ireland)
Also, you have to realise that the "French" (CEE 7/5) and "German" (CEE 7/4) [schuko] socket outlets are both fully compatable with CEE 7/7 plugs. It doesn't matter which type of outlet is used.
CEE 7/7 plug + CEE 7/4 outlet (Schuko)
French Type outlet (CEE 7/5)
The CEE 7/7 plug also mates perfectly with this.
(Used in France, Belgium and several Eastern European countries)
So, basically there's no problem other than in the non CEE 7/7 countries, which are very much in the minority.
[This message has been edited by djk (edited 10-05-2005).]