Israel is Europe’s third largest trading partner in the Middle East and its economic performance is among the strongest in the OECD. Israel is also a major political and security actor in the Middle East and Mediterranean basin. As a result, Europe and Israel share important strategic objectives, including combating terrorism and extremism, fostering stability, regional cooperation, and peace. The cooperation with Europe is vast and includes areas, such as cyber security, counter-terrorism, agriculture, water and food security, and innovation. The discovery of gas in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea opened further opportunities for cooperation.
Scientific collaboration is a fundamental component of the bilateral relations. Both Israeli and European academic institutions rank yearly among the most innovative worldwide. With high rates of R&D funding and a record number of start-ups, Israel is a central hub for global science and innovation. The scientific cooperation contributed to breakthroughs in research in multiple sectors, from smart irrigation, through child tumors and robotics.
Europe and Israel share fundamental values and strategic interests and benefit from robust economic relations despite political differences. ELNET’s mission and programs serve to enhance mutual understanding of these common values and interests.
ELNET in Israel
ELNET’s Israeli office serves as a central hub in the network, facilitating delegations and dialogues in cooperation with ELNET’s European affiliates and Friends of ELNET in the US. The Israeli office is also responsible for developing strong relationships with Israeli decision-makers, research institutes, businesses and civil society leaders. Under the leadership of an international board and led by Director Shai Bazak, a former Israeli diplomat, ELNET-Israel fosters Israeli-Europe ties, while educating the Israeli policymakers about the importance of strengthening relations with Europe.

ELNET Hosted 45 Luxembourg Business Executives
ELNET hosted 45 Luxembourg business leaders from the Luxembourg Federation of Young Business Leaders for a special briefing by the IDF’s International Spokesperson

ELNET Hosts Delegation of Europe’s Young Future Leaders
ELNET hosted a delegation of 12 young and promising European politicians from ten different countries across Europe.

Hybrid Threats: the Baltic Experience with Russian Aggressive Behavior
ELNET hosted 45 Luxembourg business leaders from the Luxembourg Federation of Young Business Leaders for a special briefing by the IDF’s International Spokesperson

Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Yadlin Appointed as Chair of ELNET’s Forum of Strategic Dialogue
Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Yadlin, former Head of the Israeli Defense Intelligence, former Director of INSS, and senior security and foreign policy expert, becomes senior adviser to ELNET. Maj. Gen. (res.) Yadlin will also chair the organization’s Forum of Strategic Dialogue, along with his other engagements.

European Ambassadors Join ELNET’s Energy and Maritime Security Tour
The strategic tour allowed European representatives in Israel to experience first-hand the complexity of the maritime border as well as the opportunities and mutual interests at hand.

As Europe Welcomes the New Israeli Government, ELNET Looks Forward to Deepening the Europe-Israel Ties
European leaders swiftly congratulated the incoming Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid, after Israel’s new coalition government has been sworn in on June 13th.

Shai Bazak

Omri Attar

Yossi Abravanel

Benjamin Touati

Ilanit Greenwald

Daniel Shadmy

Shani Aharon-Busin

Yasmin Burk
