From July 27th to 31st
ELNET UK hosted a special delegation on the theme of counterextremism and counterterrorism. The delegation was comprised of experts and politicians with knowledge and interest in the topic. The trip aimed to provide access to expert Middle East analysts and offered and incredible opportunity to gain insight into the current situation in Israel and the region. It focused also on the shared threat faced by Israel and the UK from counterextremism and how to combat that threat.
During their visit, the delegation met with key Israeli officials, including representatives from the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and MK Shelly Tal Meron Head of the UK-Israel Friendship Group and Hon. Bob Blackman MP, Chair of the UK Israel All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) presented a copy of the UK Parliamentary Commission comprehensive report detailing the attack and aftermath of 7th October 2023. This was followed by a visit to the Israel Natonal Library where the delegation was received by Amb. Salai Meridon, Chairman of the Library.
A ceremony was held and the UK Parliament Commission Report into 7th October 2023 was presented to Mr. Oren Weinberg by MP Blackman for inclusion the library stock and research facility.
The delegation spent time at Mevo Horon in briefings and Q&A with the Israeli Police on methods of counterterrorism and counterextremism. Meeting with YAMAS, Undercover Special Forces Unit of the Police (Mista’arvim). The group witnessed a number of simulations demonstrating the force in action and the use of leading-edge technologies. This was certainly one of the highlights of the trip and the delegates appreciated the way they were involved in the demonstrations.
The delegation met with Khaled Abu Toameh, Israeli Arab journalist. They had briefings and meetings focused on security with the Israeli National Security Council which led to an extensive Q&A.
Lunch on Day 3 was with Marcus Sheff, CEO of IMPACT-se on school textbooks, teachers’ guides, and extra curricula within the Middle East and UNRWA.
Delegates valued a visit to the Institute for National Security Studies with briefings and discussion from Danny Citrinowicz, Senior Researcher in the Iran and the Shi’ite Axis Program and a presentation from Eyal Tsir Cohen, on counter extremism, a former senior intelligence executive in Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office.
Zohar Palti, Former Director of the Political-Military Bureau at Israel’s Ministry of Defence and former Head of Intelligence of the Mossad, Chair of ELNET’S Forum for Strategic Dialogue was our dinner speaker – engaging in lots of questions either side of the interruption by sirens going off and a quick dash to the safety of the stairwell.
Before traveling South to Kibbutz Nir Oz and the Nova Festival site, the group received a security briefing from the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit. The briefing outlined the multiple threats Israel faces on various fronts. The delegation watched a video, not released to the public, made from the webcams and phones of the Hamas attackers on October 7th and some from CCTV in the areas and victim’s phones. This had an enormous impact and understanding of why this attacked was a day that changed Israel.
Upon arriving at the sites of the attacks the delegation witnessed the scale of the destruction first hand and was profoundly moved by the personal testimony of a long-standing Kibbutz Nir Oz resident. The delegation visited the destroyed residence of the Bibas family.
Returning to Tel Aviv our final briefing was on Cyber warfare by Aviram Atzaba, Executive Director Strategy & International Cooperation at Israel National Cyber Directorate.
At our end of delegation dinner, the delegation met Dr. Lt. Col. Anat Berko and Ms. Tzlil Berko who addressed issues of government policy in confronting terror and tactical gear and simulation technologies.