Against the backdrop of ongoing crises and growing security challenges, the question of how democratic societies can strengthen their resilience and social cohesion has become increasingly important. To discuss these issues together and learn from one another, a delegation from the newly established OFEK (Hebrew for “Horizon”) Political Dialogue Forum of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Israel traveled to Berlin and Potsdam from June 7 to 12. The forum was established to bring together emerging decision-makers from politics, strategic consulting, academia, and civil society with diverse perspectives, deepen German-Israeli dialogue on a sustainable basis, and establish a long-term platform for societal dialogue.
The central focus of the visit was the question of how Germany and Israel can strengthen their societal and security resilience in the face of complex security challenges. To this end, the participants held in-depth discussions with members of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag, representatives of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Foreign Office, the Operational Command of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), political leaders from the State of Brandenburg, and members of the Young Union of Germany. The intensive program addressed issues such as crisis preparedness, civil-military cooperation, different models of military and national service, and the role of democratic institutions in responding to current security challenges. In addition, the agenda included discussions on combating antisemitism, strengthening social cohesion, and media perceptions of developments in Israel and the Middle East.
Particularly at a time of profound political and societal tensions, the visit highlighted the importance of open and honest dialogue, even when different experiences and perspectives come together. The Israeli delegation not only shared the insights they had gained from their discussions in Germany but also spoke about their personal experiences since Hamas’ terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, and the daily challenges Israeli society has faced ever since. The intensive week once again demonstrated that social cohesion and democratic resilience are essential foundations for security and stability. German-Israeli dialogue provides valuable insights for both sides, deepens mutual understanding, and opens new horizons for future cooperation.
