Russia in the Middle East: Ever-Changing Policy in an Ever-Changing Region

The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Israel (KAS) held an international conference that took place on December 3 , 2019, at INSS in Tel Aviv, Israel. Middle Eastern politics changed profoundly in October 2015, when Russia decided to step into the Syrian civil war on the side of President Assad. This added an international dimension to an already complex conflict and created a new strategic situation with international consequences. In this context, the event brought together participants from Russia, Europe and Israel for an in-depth dialogue. The event focused on further understanding on the most pertinent issues and strengthening cooperation in the future.

"Responding to hybrid threats: from disinformation to boots on the ground"

by Aylin Matlé

KAS Israel hosts Cyber Security Roundtable

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation Israel hosted a two-day Cyber Security expert round-table in Herzliya which dealt with the topic "Responding to hybrid threats: from disinformation to boots on the ground" from the 12th to the 14th of November. The round-table was the fourth of its kind as part of a series of events and brought together German, Israeli and US experts from the field of cyber security.

PhD study group "Security and Development in the 21st Century" visits Israel

by Aylin Matlé

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) Israel hosted the KAS PhD study group "Security and Development in the 21st Century" in late October. The purpose of the study trip was to familiarize the fellows with Israel's security challenges. The group met with representatives of civil society, the academy and (former) members of the Israeli security establishment.

Arab society in Israel in light of upheavels in the Arab world

by Palina Kedem

Book presentation: “Left to its Fate: Arab society in Israel under the shadow of the Arab Spring events”

On June 24, 2019, KAS and the Konrad Adenauer Program for Jewish-Arab Cooperation presented the publication "Left to its fate: Arab society in Israel under the shadow of the Arab Spring" authored by Dr. Yusri Khaizran and Muhammad Khlaile at the Tel Aviv University. The book was edited and published by the Konrad Adenauer Program earlier this year. The conference brought together academics, politicians and journalists to celebrate this important publication and to discuss the topic from different perspectives.

The Israeli periphery as a space of opportunities

by Palina Kedem

One day seminar with the Manof Forum in North of Israel

A one-day seminar in the North of Israel with the Manof Forum focused on entrepreneurship in the geographical periphery of Israel as a tool for inter-cultural inclusiveness and cultural pluralism. On the one hand it is considered to be a periphery, which faces security threats as well as economic and social challenges, on the other hand, the diversity of the population is oftentimes an unexpected engine for an unusual development in different areas.

Countries and Campaigns: Populism and Elections

by Liza Katz

On 25 June 2019, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Israel and the Israel Democracy Institute held a conference on "Countries and Campaigns: Populism and Elections".

IMPACT Seminar, Caesaria Israel

by Susi Doring Preston

The ILF aims to foster dialogue and collaboration between the private and public sector by bringing together business leaders and members of government institutions. Together with KAS Israel, the IMPACT Seminar hosted lectures by executives from various sectors which provided input and stimulated discussions. Topics such as opportunities for eGovernment, scientific support for start-ups, personnel planning and the integration of minorities into the labor market were discussed. Through the lectures and group work of the participants, the seminar’s goal was to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors and identity opportunities for cooperation . The ILF seminar works toward four overarching goals. Firstly, in order to strengthen collaboration between the private and public sectors, bureaucratic hurdles must be removed. Moreover, the innovative thinking of start-ups should be fed into the public sector and other companies. The second target is to reduce the differences in the field of education. Increased youth work contributes to incite interest in entrepreneurship and communicating relevant values. Third, industry and commerce must again be a more attractive field of work to generate new skilled workers. Conclusions from the seminar discussed enhancing cooperation with start-ups and the establishment of a traineeship. Issues were discussed highlighting the inequality of industry between the periphery and the center, affecting Northern Israel in particular. In order to reduce disparities, a proposal of a pilot project empowering residents, local authorities, businesses and organizations in order to help improve the quality of life and work in the North was included. This also creates incentives for companies to settle there. Other challenged discussed in the Seminar included an aging society, disparities in access to health care and dwindling trust in public institutions. In terms of the the forum itself, members discussed that the heterogeneity of the members should be increased. Since the seminar, members of the forum have reconvened in competence clusters with respect to their respective fields of expertise and professional backgrounds.

German-Israel Relations: Quo Vadis?

Gemeinsame Konferenz der KAS Israel und des Israel Council on Foreign Relations

Ende Mai 2019 veranstaltete die Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Israel gemeinsam mit dem Israel Council on Foreign Relations eine Konferenz zum Stand der deutsch-israelischen Beziehungen. Neben dem Berichterstatter zu Israel im Auswärtigen Ausschuss des Deutschen Bundestages, Roderich Kiesewetter MdB, kamen zudem der bekannte Journalist und Autor David Witzthum, Dr. Gisela Dachs, Dozentin am DAAD Zentrum für Deutschlandstudie und am Forum Europa, Prof. Moshe Zimmermann sowie Dr. Peter Lintl (SWP) zu Wort.

Conference about Israel's Borders

by Doron Gilad

Setting Boundaries Facing a possible “Deal of the Century,” in-depth discussion about borders – both geographic and psychological

Setting Boundaries Facing a possible “Deal of the Century,” in-depth discussion about borders – both geographic and psychological

From Jaffa (oranges) to JAVA - Digitalization and innovation in Israel

by Eva Keeren Caro

Dialogue program for digitalization experts from the German Bundestag

Israel is known to be one of the leading nations when it comes to technological innovation and digitalization. Therefore, a delegation of seven German Federal Parliament Members and staffers visited Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in mid June to exchange thoughts with Israeli experts, on how both countries can learn and benefit from each other.