ELNET Activities – 2nd Half-Yearly Summary 2022

ELNET continues to lead high-level activities for top policymakers and influential leaders from Europe.

Our programs consistently provide the opportunity for exposure to the challenges Israel faces as well as the many opportunities it has to offer, broadening our network even further.

With the Russian aggression against Ukraine generating major shifts in European defense policies, ELNET’s role in strengthening the relations between Europe and Israel has never been more crucial.

Here are some of the most notable highlights of ELNET’s activity from the last recent months:

German Bundestag Interior Committee Delegation – June 2022

ELNET hosted a delegation of MPs from the Bundestag Interior and Homeland Committee. The delegation consisted of politicians belonging to the Christian Democrats, the Social Democrats, the Free Democrats, and The Left. During their visit they met with Minister of Intelligence MK Elazar Stern who discussed with them issues relating to public safety, Israel’s political situation in light of the elections, and regional security.

Young Muslim Delegation – July 2022

ELNET hosted a delegation of 40 young European Muslims in Israel, in collaboration with Imam Hassen Chalghoumi, President of the Cultural Association of Muslims of Drancy and the Conference of Imams of France. The trip’s goal was to showcase the reality of Israeli democracy, deconstruct prejudices, and promote the Abraham Accords to representatives of the French and Belgian Muslim communities. During their visit the delegation met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Italian MP Delegation – July 2022

ELNET, in cooperation with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affair, hosted a delegation of 9 young and promising parliamentarians from the Italian parliament and the European Parliament to deepen and strengthen their understanding of the relations between Europe and Israel. Subsequent to their participation in the delegation, several members were posted to high ranking positions including the minister of science and deputy defense minister.

2nd GINSUM Digital Health Delegation – July 2022

The delegation, compiled of high-ranking participants from the healthcare industry, including large companies and start-ups, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the German media landscape, were presented with an exciting and diverse program that enabled them to immerse themselves in the dynamic Israeli digital health ecosystem.

German Journalists Sylke-Temple Delegation – September 2022

ELNET brought 17 young promising German and Israeli journalists together to learn about current challenges and opportunities in Israel and the Middle East, with a focus on the Israeli media landscape and the difficulties that come with reporting about Israel and the Middle East. This delegation was the first of its kind organized within the framework of The Sylke-Tempel Fellowship Program.

1st Joint French and German Climate Change Delegation – October 2022

ELNET hosted members of the French and German parliaments on a first-ever climate change delegation. The delegates learned how Israeli innovation positively impacts the environment, and explored opportunities to work with Israel to make progress on the climate change issue. The delegation focused on green technology and renewable energy, and strengthened a sense of friendship and shared goals toward a more sustainable planet.

7th EU-Israel Strategic Dialogue – October 2022

ELNET hosted the 7th EU-Israel Strategic Dialogue. Participants discussed the geopolitical implications of the Ukraine-Russia war; challenges and opportunities in the Middle East; and prospects for deepening the EU-Israel relationship. The dialogue was preceded by a special dinner on the Abraham Accords, attended by the ambassadors of the UAE and Egypt in Israel and the Head of the Liaison Office of Morocco in Israel.

Delegation of Members of the European Parliament – October 2022

ELNET hosted MEPs who received an in-depth and very substantive overview of the challenges Israel faces geopolitically and strategically; an update on EU-Israel relations and concrete current political obstacles; challenges and opportunities for both sides; and business opportunities, research and development in Israel which has contributing largely to the major EU-Israel trade relations.

Abraham Accords 2nd Year Anniversary Diplomatic Reception  – November 2022

ELNET hosted a diplomatic reception to mark the 2nd anniversary of the Abraham Accords. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attended the event, alongside Israeli ambassador to the UK and high-ranking representatives of all the Abraham Accords countries.

Trauma and PTSD Relief Project for Ukrainian Refugees – November 2022

ELNET hosted leading Israeli trauma experts in Poland to conduct an in-depth training for 150 Ukrainian and Polish mental health professionals and local responders in Warsaw servicing Ukrainian refugees. This program is another dimension of ELNET’s multi-level emergency response to the war in Ukraine, which supports Ukrainian refugees while bringing and promoting first hand Israeli know-how in war-trauma, PTSD, crisis management and building resilience to the policymakers, experts and mental health professionals in Central & Eastern European countries.

3rd Young Political Leaders Delegation – November 2022

ELNET hosted in partnership with the MFA young politicians from fourteen different countries across Europe. By empowering the leaders of Europe’s tomorrow, this delegation’s purpose was to promote strong and lasting relations between Israel and Europe for the future.

10th Germany-Israel Strategic Dialogue – November 2022

ELNET, its Forum of Strategic Dialogue, and The Federal Academy for Security Policy (BAKS), in partnership with the Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation Hub held the 10th Germany-Israel Strategic Dialogue in Israel. Participants discussed the German-Israeli relationship after the Russian invasion of Ukraine; the Abraham Accords – new alliances in the region; and Iran and its proxies.

1st GIHF-AI Conference in Israel – November 2022

ELNET held the first GIHF-AI Conference in Israel on digital health. The conference was opened with a special reception with Israeli Minister of Health Nitzan Horowitz, followed by a day-long conference at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov), and concluded with participants joining the HealthIL Week event.

5th Trilateral US-Europe-Israel Strategic Dialogue – November 2022

ELNET, its Forum of Strategic Dialogue, and the Hudson Institute held the fifth Trilateral US-Europe-Israel Strategic Dialogue, which took place in Washington, D.C. The participants discussed the war in Ukraine and threats to Europe; how to approach China; how to prevent an Iranian nuclear breakout and how to counter Iranian aggression; building on the Abraham Accords; and antisemitism in Europe and the U.S.

POLITICO Gala Event hosting Abraham Accords Ambassadors– December 2022

ELNET hosted a table of the Ambassadors to the EU of the Abraham Accords signatory countries at Politico’s annual Gala ranking of the 28 most influential people in Europe.

Abraham Accords and Europe Conference – December 2022

ELNET hosted a conference on the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of the Abraham Accords. The conferenced, titled “the Abraham Accords and Europe – New Opportunities in a Changing World”. The conference included panels on security and intelligence cooperation, energy food security and business, and politics and diplomacy.