Jill Wyler shares how delegations are prepared and tailor-made to fit the participants’ needs and requirements.
She held various professional positions in Israel and her last position prior to joining ELNET was as the Israel representative of a Washington based independent academic organization which focused on enhancing knowledge about modern Israel at universities in the United States and around the world. Jill has a master’s degree in International Relations, with a focus on diplomacy and foreign policy, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and German Literature.
Yossi Abravanel, Deputy Executive Director of ELNET-Israel, shares how impactful the delegations are.
Yossi Abravanel is a former entrepreneur in the fields of telecom and homeland security in Israel and beyond, with extensive experience in work vis-à-vis governments in West Africa and Israel, and as a Jewish Agency’s Aliyah representative in Paris. He holds an MBA from the University of Sorbonne and a BA from Jerusalem College of Technology.
Colonel (ret.) Ralph Thiele is a seasoned defense expert and a thought leader in disruptive innovation within security and defense. He currently serves as President of the independent initiative EuroDefense Deutschland e.V., Chairman of the Political-Military Society, and Managing Director of StratByrd Consulting. During his distinguished military career, Colonel (ret.) Thiele held senior positions in national and international security and military policy, planning, and academia. His roles included service on the Planning Staff of the German Minister of Defense, Commander of the German Armed Forces Transformation Centre, and Director of Education at the Bundeswehr Command and Staff College.
Colonel Arne Collatz joined the German Armed Forces in 1988 and holds a degree in Political Science from the University of the Bundeswehr in Hamburg. He has held various command and staff positions, including Platoon Leader and Deputy Commander at the Panzerflugabwehrkanonenlehrbataillon 6 and Battery Commander at the Panzerflugabwehrraketenlehrbataillon 610. After completing the 44th General Staff Course in 2001, he served in leadership roles at Luftlandebrigade 26 and later earned a Master’s in Strategic Military Studies at the Italian General Staff Course. He has held key positions in the German Ministry of Defence, including Regimental Commander of Flugabwehrlehrregiment 6 and Senior Officer for Public Affairs. From 2016, he led the Bundeswehr Editorial Staff and served as Head of Media Affairs from 2020. In January 2025, he became Director and Chief of Staff at the Federal Academy for Security Policy. His operational experience includes missions with EUFOR/KFOR and ISAF in the Balkans and Afghanistan.
Lieutenant Colonel (res.) Dr. Marie Theres Sommerfeld serves as a Scientific Advisor at the German Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (GIDS). Her career has included key roles as a Bundeswehr officer with assignments at the Operational Communications Centre and the Command and Staff College, focusing on the Middle East. She has conducted extensive research stays in the United States and Israel, concentrating on counterterrorism, as well as in the Middle East and Africa, including a project at the German Embassy in Addis Ababa. Dr. Sommerfeld holds a Doctorate in Security Studies, a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, and a bachelor’s degree in social and Cultural Anthropology as well as French. Her expertise spans conflicts and Islamist terrorism, military strategy, and international law, with a particular focus on the Middle East. An accomplished researcher and author, Dr. Sommerfeld has published extensively on topics such as security policy in the Middle East, the rise of terrorist groups, and Iran’s power projection. She is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, with intermediate proficiency in Arabic.
Amos Harel met with the ELNET’s Military Experts Delegation in February 2025.
Between February 23-27, ELNET hosted a delegation of 27 senior defense officials, military strategists, security experts and advisers from France, the UK, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Estonia, and the United States. The delegates travelled to Israel for a week to gain firsthand understanding of Israel’s war on seven fronts. To read the full article, click here.
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A joint ELNET/MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) delegation of Portuguese parliamentarians visited Israel in January 2025. The MPs, who arrived in Israel on the day the Israel-Hamas ceasefire entered into force. For some of them, this was their first ever visit. To the full article on the delegation, click here.
Jonathan Conricus is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) focused on the Middle East. He served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for 24 years as a combat commander in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. IDF Lt. Col. (ret.) Jonathan Conricus met with the join ELNET/Israel MFA Portuguese MP Delegation.
On January 7-8, 2025, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Hildegard Bentele visited Israel with ELNET. She came to better understand the challenges faced by Israel since October 7, and to learn about the involvement of UNRWA workers in the October 7 atrocities, attacks. Her trip consisted of numerous insightful meetings with Members of the Israeli Knesset (MK), with Ministry of Defense (MoD) officials, and with research institutes.
More and more European countries are expressing reservations about the ICC ’s illegal and immoral arrest warrants against Israeli leaders. We call upon Kaja Kallas to adopt a clear stance on this issue on behalf of the EU.
An ELNET delegation of parliamentarians from Finland and Estonia visited Israel between November 17-21. This important visit shall contribute to strengthening ties and cooperation between Israel and northern European countries that face the threat of the Russia-Iran axis.
MP Riina Solman is the Former Minister of Public Administration of the Republic of Estonia. This was her first time in Israel. Riina Solman served as Estonia’s Minister of Public Administration from July 2022 to March 2023. In her role, Solman focused onimproving public services and enhancing local governance, advocatingfor more effective administration across Estonia. Her political careeris marked by a commitment to family-centered policies, societalcohesion, and engaging the Estonian diaspora.
This was MP Solman’s first visit to Israel.
MP Atte Kaleva is a Finnish entrepreneur, Coalition Party politician, and author, recognized for his expertise on security and Islamic terrorism. He has been a member of the Helsinki City Council since 2017 and became a Member of Parliament in 2021. A former military officer with a Master’s in Military Science, Kaleva continues doctoral work focused on terrorism and jihadism. He has also servedas a military observer in Kashmir and is a notable advocate for NATO membership. Kaleva’s 2018 book, Jihad and Terror, analyzes the rootsof jihadist ideology and its impact on global security.
This was MP Kaleva’s first time in Israel.
As he took part in ELNET’s Senior Defense Officials Delegation in September 2024, Jeff Tiegs was given the opportunity to reach Gaza, go through the Philadelphi Corridor and got exclusive briefings by the IDF.
Jeff Tiegs is a retired Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Expert with over 25 years of service in US Army Special Operations. From young ranger private to Delta Force lieutenant colonel, he has braved— and commanded—combat operations around the globe, including in Panama, Iraq, and Afghanistan. As the President of Skull Games, Jeff leads a team of dedicated professionals to shed light in the darkness, wherever it may try to hide.
“We are in the middle of a battle for Western civilization. Israel is proud to be at the forefront of this battle.
Tomer Tzadik, a Nova Festival Survivor, shares his personal story with our delegation.
On October 7 2023, Jews in Israel were slaughtered by Jihadists with a barbarity never seen since the Holocaust. Israel fought back, and is still fighting back, to protect its citizens and to free its hostages. ELNET is proud to have risen to the challenge from day one by strengthening and widening European support for Israel.
This was MP Jan Metzler’s first visit to Israel, taking part in ELNET’s German Economic Affairs Delegation. The participants held high-level discussions on strengthening economic ties, and for a visit to the north of the country. Key meetings were held with Members of the Knesset, as well as industry leaders at Startup Nation Central, VW Konnect, the Manufacturers’ Association of Israel and the AHK.
ELNET welcomed, between September 15-19 2023, two delegations of European leaders to Israel: The UK – MPs & Think Tanks, and the German – Economic Affairs. On their first day, the delegates visited Kiryat Shmona, where Mayor Avichay Stern showed them the facts: close to 90% of residents have been displaced for almost a year, since Hezbollah’s relentless and almost daily attacks were launched on Israel’s northern cities. Stern called for more delegations to come and witness this abnormal situation firsthand, and he thanked ELNET for bringing European decision-makers to his city.
During the first week of September, an ELNET delegation of senior defense officials, military strategists, journalists, legal experts, and advisers from the UK, the U.S., France, Canada, Australia, and Romania travelled to Israel to gain first-hand understanding of Israel’s security challenges eleven months into the war with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. For some, this was their first time in Israel. Since October 7 2023, this was the first time such a delegation was given access to Gaza.
The UN confirmed that 9 UNRWA staff members were involved in the October 7 attacks. In late June, ELNET published the 2024 Israel Survey, in which more than 300 European MPs from more than 20 countries were surveyed. The subject of UNRWA, following the October 7 attacks, was among the topics at hand.
In this portion of the ELNET Monday Briefing that took place on July 29th, Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh elaborated on the historical roots of the Druze community in Israel since 1948.
Dr. Till Steffen, Member of the German Bundestag and expert in administrative and international Law, elaborates on the role of Germany in the current conflict that opposes Israel to Hamas. MP Steffen was interviewed during the German-Austrian Legal Affairs Delegation
MP Engelberg, Member of the Committee on Legal Affairs in the Austrian Parliament, discussed the complexity that materializes on the international arena for and towards Israel, the observation of international law regulations by the IDF, the international law proceedings conducted against Israel, and the legal statuses of the disputed territories.
Ayelet Levy, mother of hostage Naama Levy, tells her story during the “Meeting to say NO”, organized by ELNET-France, in Paris.
On July 11th, ELNET hosted a strategic tour to the North of Israel for European diplomats. The tour was the first of its kind since the October 7 attacks. The participants were briefed by the IDF and MK Yuli Edelstein, Chair of the Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee who joined the tour, the diplomats saw the challenges Israel is facing in light of the continuous attacks by Hezbollah since October 7.
The evil ideologies of Hamas and of Islamic Jihad cannot be obliterated, but they must and can be denied the military and governing capabilities that led to October 7.
“The Global Impact of the War in Ukraine” – ELNET’s Roundtable at the 21st Herzliya Conference. The annual conference at Reichman University serves as a two-day summit to discuss matters of state security, policy and counter-terrorism efforts.
Some numbers and insights given by the ELNET-conducted Israel Survey 2024 on the European MPs’ perception of Israel.
German Federal Minister of Health Prof. Karl Lauterbach speaks at the GIHF-AI Conference 2024. More information about the annual conference of the German Israel Health Forum for Artificial Intelligence (GIHF-AI) can be found here: www.gihf-ai.eu
By banning Israeli companies from EUROSATORY, Emmanuel Macron has rewarded the defamation and intimidation tactics of BDS and has further undermined the unity and moral clarity that are required to overcome the free world’s adversaries.
As he addressed Holocaust Remembrance Day and its difficulties amid the current turmoil, Nadav Eyal, specialist and renowned journalist, discussed Hamas and its fate in the near and distant future.
ELNET organized and hosted in Israel the first international coalition of women against sexual violence. 18 high-profile women from 12 European countries joined ELNET’s delegation to condemn gender-based sexual violence as a weapon of war.
Rafaela Treistman shares the story of how she survived the Nova Festival massacre, where 364 were killed and 40 were kidnapped on October 7.
Appointed Ambassador of Israel to Spain, Mr. Tsvi Vapni, on ELNET’s importance following a meeting with State Representatives from Germany and the United Kingdom.
During an ELNET Gala Event in Herzliya, MK Shelly Tal Meron from the Yesh Atid Party, reflected on October 7. She shared on her own experience as a politician in Israel before and since October 7, and on the consequences felt by an entire nation in reconstruction.
MP Rihards Kols, Latvian Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee, shares his insights during his visit to Israel
David Siegel, President of ELNET US, shares his insights on October 7 while visiting
French Solidarity Mission to Israel hosted by ELNET
ELNET organized a solidarity mission to Israel of 10 members of the French Parliament along with former French Prime Minister Manuel Valls between October 15-17. Among those partaking in the solidarity mission were MP Benjamin Haddad, Spokesman of the majority group Renaissance Party, and MP Caroline Yadan, Secretary General of the France-Israel Friendship Group in the National Assembly. They came to witness the carnage of Hamas’ barbaric attack with their own eyes and hear the first-hand accounts of survival and anguish from the victims and loved ones. Though only a short two-day visit, many shared that what they saw on the ground has left them appalled and shaken for a long time to come.
ELNET Digital Health Delegation to Germany 2023
With its innovation projects, the German Israeli Health Forum for Artificial Intelligence (GIHF-AI ) and the German Network of Startups and Mittelstand (GINSUM), ELNET brought a delegation of around 30 Israeli healthcare experts, innovation managers, startups as well as representatives of the Israeli Ministry of Health to Berlin and Essen. The occasion was the second GIHF-AI Conference on September 5-6 2023, an exclusive event with around 80 high-profile participants, and the Big Bang Health festival with 1,500 guests. The delegation was supported by the Israeli Ministry of Health, Business Metropole Ruhr GmbH and Health IL.
ELNET - UK Cross-party Lords Delegation 2023
ELNET was proud to have been the host of the largest-ever official delegation to Israel from the UK House of Lords. The delegation, organized and facilitated by ELNET together with the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Britain-Israel, consisted of cross-party Lords from all three main parties in the upper chamber of the UK Parliament. The delegation received wide attention in the media and political spheres in both Israel and the UK.
ELNET's 3rd EIPC Conference - Highlights
ELNET concluded its third International Policy Conference (EIPC) in Paris between May 8-10, 2023. The title of the conference was “Normalization in the Middle East, War in Ukraine: Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing World Order”. The conference brought together some 450 participants and 80 of the most influential policymakers and leading public opinion-makers from Europe, Israel, the US and Arab countries to discuss and impact the shaping of Europe’s Middle East policy and Europe-Israel relations.
ELNET's Strategic Dialogues Explained
The Forum of Strategic Dialogue (FSD) organizes and facilitates high-level strategic dialogues between Europe and Israel, focusing on the major geopolitical issues facing both parties and on Israeli-European relations. The FSD provides a unique platform for “Track 1.5” dialogues involving governmental and non-governmental participants in brainstorming and exchanges that go beyond the constraints of formal inter-governmental dialogues.
Read more here.
FELNET President David Siegel's Presentation at the Jerusalem Post 2023 Annual Conference
President of Friends of ELNET, David Siegel, gave a presentation at the Jerusalem Post 2023 Annual Conference on the importance of European – Israel relations, and announces the launching of ELNET-CEE.
He stated “Given the evolving developments in Europe, it is crucial for us to work together in the face of new regional challenges.”
Read more here.
2022 Highlights
Europe is a key partner for Israel. A strong relationship is vital to both Israel and Europe.
In 2022, ELNET directly engaged 230 policymakers in 25 delegations, and 155 policymakers in 5 strategic dialogues.
In 2023 ELNET plans to bring even more policymakers to Israel with over 30 delegations.
German Bundestag Defense Committee Delegation
ELNET hosted a delegation of MPs from the German Bundestag Defense Committee in March 2022. The delegation met with the most senior members of Israel’s defense system. The delegation was the first of its kind to visit an Israeli Navy Dolphin-class Submarine and a Sa’ar 6 Corvette. Significantly, the MPs visited Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) where they were briefed on the Arrow 3 Missile Defense System and on the Heron-TP drone, which was of particular public interest due to the war in Ukraine and the impact on European countries’ defense strategy.
Poland and Baltic States Delegation
ELNET hosted its first-ever delegation of senior politicians from the Baltic Countries (Estonia Latvia, and Lithuania), and Poland. With the Russian aggression against Ukraine directly impacting these four NATO countries, this trip to Israel enabled the participants exclusive exposure to Israeli expertise and the opportunity to learn from Israel and strengthen cooperation. The delegation met with senior Israeli officials and experts on various topics, ranging from defense and security, national resilience, trauma and PTSD treatment, homeland security, health and cyber.
ELNET Activities Across Central Eastern Europe
ELNET continues to expand its activities across Central Eastern Europe. As such, ELNET hosted the first ever delegation from the Israeli-Polish Friendship Group to visit Israel. Soon after, ELNET hosted its first delegation of Czech Members of Parliament. These delegations, combined with additional activity mark yet another success for ELNET’s expanding activity across Central Eastern Europe, a key region for strategic and economic partnership with Israel.
European Leadership Network - Our Mission
ELNET – The European Leadership Network – is the premier organization dedicated to strengthening relations between Europe and Israel based on shared democratic values and strategic interests.
Learn More about our important work.
Joint French and German Climate Change Delegation
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.
Young European Politicians Delegation - March 2022
ELNET in partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a delegation of Young European Politicians from 10 different European countries to see and hear firsthand about Israel and the significant importance of strong relations between Israel and Europe
Exclusive ELNET interview with MP Francken, Rapporteur NATO PA Mediterranean & Middle East Group
MP Francken, hosted by ELNET as part of the Young European Political Leaders Delegation, shares his insights and findings from a recent report published by him. In the report, titled “Shifting Geopolitics in Iran and the Gulf”, MP Francken, who serves as the Rapporteur of the NATO PA Mediterranean and Middle East special group, has outlined recommendations for Allied governments regarding Iran.
Emergency Briefing with Israeli Rescue Mission to Turkey in Earthquake Aftermath - Hosted by ELNET
ELNET hosted an Emergency Briefing with the Israeli Rescue Mission on the ground in Turkey. The Israeli mission, which included the IDF and Magen David Adom, was among the first missions to arrive in Turkey immediately after it was hit by a massive earthquake. Despite the extremely difficult conditions and freezing weather, the mission succeeded in saving an unprecedented number of lives.
Young Legislators from Across Europe Visit Israel with ELNET
Watch ELNET’s Young Politicians Delegation of 12 young and promising Members of Parliament from across Europe, hosted together with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
German Bundestag Interior and Homeland Committee delegation
ELNET- Germany brings a delegation of members of the German Bundestag Interior and Homeland Committee to enhance security cooperation with Israel
ELNET 2021 Gala: Message from Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid
Listen to the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, share a message for ELNET’s 2021 Gala event.
ELNET 2021 Gala: Message from Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid
Listen to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yair Lapid, share a message for ELNET’s 2021 Gala event.
Message from Yair Lapid, Israel's Foreign Affairs Minister (former Opposition Leader) to ELNET
At the last Friends of ELNET Virtual Gala, Israel’s Foreign Minister and then-Opposition leader Yair Lapid stressed the importance of Europe-Israel ties and ELNET, noting, “Israel and Europe remain strategic partners. We share a common set of values and common interests. ELNET is a tremendous asset to this relationship.” We invite you to view the short video.
ELNET Hosts Senior European Parliament Members in Israel for a First Post-Covid Visit
ELNET hosted the first delegation from the European Parliament to visit Israel in two years. The delegation was composed of senior members of the European Parliament, including several former Ministers, the former Vice Presidents of the European Commission and the Slovenian Parliament, and the Secretary-General of the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest European political party.
ELNET Delegation of Senior Security and Defense experts from Israel to MILIPOL, France
ELNET sent a delegation of 12 high-level security and defense experts from Israel to France to attend MILIPOL (Military-Police), a leading event for homeland security and safety. The group of experts met with interlocutors from the security and defense industry from all over the world.
ELNET hosted the largest diplomatic delegation to visit Israel in 18 months, and the first to meet with Israel’s new political leadership
ELNET hosted the largest diplomatic delegation to visit Israel in 18 months, and the first to meet with Israel’s new political leadership. The delegation included 36 Members of the French Parliament from a broad spectrum of political parties, the majority visiting Israel for the first time.
European Ambassadors Join ELNET's Energy & Maritime Security Tour
ELNET brought 13 senior European ambassadors on a special tour of Israel’s northern sea border with Lebanon to discuss opportunities and threats, as well as gas reservoirs in the Eastern Mediterranean. The energy sector, crucial for the Israeli economy, yet so vulnerable to foreign threats, was the main focus of the one-day program.
ELNET Hosts a Delegation of Muslim Leaders from Europe to Israel
In June 2019, ELNET hosted in Israel an exceptional delegation of 40 young Belgian and French Muslim leaders and activists. The overall purpose of the visit was to provide the delegation with a stronger understanding of Israel and to foster inter religious dialogue and collaboration.
ELNET Takes European Ambassadors for a Strategic Tour of Israel's Northern Border
More than a dozen ambassadors and senior diplomats, currently based in Israel, representing key European countries, including the UK, Spain, France, Belgium, and the European Union, flew for a strategic tour of country’s border with Lebanon.
Europe Eager to Learn From Israel’s Vaccination Campaign Success
ELNET launched a series of special briefings connecting Israeli experts with European decision-makers to share Israeli expertise in digital health and crisis management, and lessons to learn from the Israeli vaccination success.
President Reuven Rivlin Greets ELNET Community
“The history of the Jewish people & the history of Europe are bound together,” said President Reuven Rivlin. “Nowadays, the State of Israel and nations of Europe share democratic values of freedom and human dignity. You in ELNET are here to make sure that we remember how much we have in common.”
ELNET Takes European Ambassadors to Israel's Northern Border
More than 12 ambassadors and senior diplomats, currently based in Israel, representing key European countries, including the UK, Spain, France, Belgium, and the European Union, flew to Israel’s North for a strategic tour at the country’s border with Lebanon. The program, organized by ELNET in cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), presented the regional threats posed by Hezbollah and Iran.
Interview with Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaacov Amidror on the Sidelines of the Spain-Israel Strategic Dialogue
Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaacov Amidror, former National Security Advisor and Head of Israel’s National Security Council discusses geopolitics in the Middle East and Spain-Israel relations with Carlota García Encina of the Real Instituto Elcano on the sidelines of the 1st Spain-Israel Strategic Dialogue.
Interview with Lord Trimble on the Sidelines of the UK-Israel Strategic Dialogue
Lord David Trimble, one of the architects of the Good Friday Agreement and a Nobel Prize laureate, discusses peace negotiations with the Oren Nahari of the Walla News on the side of the Third UK-Israel Strategic Dialogue.
ELNET International Policy Conference - Join us for #EIPC2022!
Video about the ELNET International Policy Conference in Paris – ELNET’s annual event on Europe-Israel relations.
ELNET International Policy Conference - EIPC 2018
Highlights from the First ELNET International Policy Conference in Paris – first of its kind event on Europe-Israel relations.