VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.elnetwork.eu LEADERSHIP BRIEFING SUMMER 2017

The Friends of European Leadership Network (FELNET) advocacy is making an impact in Europe every day. Due to are very proud to present in detail the most recent accom- the threat of terror and the internal stress created by volumi- plishments of ELNET affi liates in Europe. These successes nous migration across Europe, the time is ripe for recognizing are made possible in large part by generous and strategic the value of close relations between Europe and . minded contributors in the US as well as those overseas. There is no question that with additional funding much This Leadership Briefi ng is divided into sections which more can be accomplished with increased resources. include updates from: You may support this critical work by making a donation 1. ELNET – EU & NATO using the enclosed pledge card, online at www.elnetwork.eu, 2. ELNET – France or by mailing a check to the address on the back page. 3. ELNET – Germany 4. ELNET – Poland With our gratitude and best wishes, 5. Forum of Strategic Dialogue The FELNET Board of Directors also welcomes new members Messrs. John Fishel and David Jonas. They will add Larry J. Hochberg Lee Rosenblum strength to our already committed group. ELNET’s pro-Israel FELNET Chairman & Co-Founder FELNET National Executive Director

European Commission, the European EUROPEAN UNION External Action Service, the European Ines Von Behr, ELNET-EU & NATO, Executive Director Parliament, and the European Council, as the majority of policies and initiatives regarding Israel are prepared, coordinated ELNET – EU & NATO and decided by the EU Institutions. The Executive Director has emphasized and The goal of the ELNET EU & NATO developed a very close relationship with MK Ohana at the Offi ce in Brussels is to strengthen the NATO, which enables us to organize a European Parliament political relations between Israel and the major NATO-Israel Conference in the EU, as well as with NATO. Our activities In April 2017, ELNET EU hosted Member second half 2017. focus on the EU/NATO and Israel’s of Amir Ohana for a meeting in the European Parliament and for a dinner mutual strategic interests, and con- Our team has also been monitoring roundtable in Brussels. The visit provided tribute to help redefi ne and strengthen important developments in Brussels the perfect occasion to reach out to a the EU-Israel relationship with a view that had major consequences for Israel high level European crowd combining to achieving common goals in Brussels. and our work (various resolutions in both a public event, and a private dinner A raised awareness towards common the Parliament, committee meetings or with high level senior offi cials from the challenges and shared interests will lead working groups in the Council related EU, NATO and the Embassies in town. to stronger bonds and trust between to the Middle East, the Foreign Aff airs the EU/NATO and Israel and will make Councils, high level visits from Israel to MK Ohana () is a member of Israel’s it easier to address handling risks that the European Union and vice versa), as Foreign Aff airs and Defense Committee. currently threaten Israel. well as important topics for EU-Israel He entered politics in 2015 and had held cooperation (such as the political Over the last year ELNET has built several positions within the IDF and the dialogue, the counter terrorism dia- relations with a variety of senior political beforehand. Due to his pro- logue between the EU and Israel, cyber leaders, EU experts and advisors, top fessional background, MK Ohana has a security, the European Neighborhood offi cials, leading journalists, academics, deep understanding of intelligence and Policy among others) and has moved and policy think tanks in Brussels. the fi ght against terror in Israel and was its advocacy work to the next level by Specifi cally, ELNET EU & NATO focused an ideal candidate to discuss aspects actively infl uencing current resolutions on relevant players who have signifi - of countering terrorism with Brussels impacting Israel. cant infl uence with regard to EU-Israel counterparts. MK Ohana gave a speech relations, focusing its eff orts on the at the European Parliament on the topic LEADERSHIP BRIEFING SUMMER 2017

Fighting Counter-Terrorism — The Israeli our strategic outlook for 2017 in the Egmont Palace. The ELNET dinner was Experience in front of a full plenary and field of countering terrorism and to so overwhelmingly in demand that more consisting mostly of Members of the solidify where we aim to achieve higher people wanted to attend than the space European Parliament (MEPs) and their visibility as an organization of expertise allowed, so the GMF had to shorten the political advisors coming from various in Brussels. invitee list. Nevertheless, the participant political backgrounds. The speech was list reflected an engagement of high level much appreciated and offered a first- senior officials coming from the EU hand insight of the Israeli experience in institutions, NATO, the US and the fighting terrorism and what Europe private sector. The high demand for our can learn from Israel. dinner during the Brussels Forum is a testament to the great success of our Events like these contribute to and work on the ground, as well as for the strengthen the relationship ELNET EU topic and speakers chosen. & NATO has built with various MEPs over the last year and reinforces our “New Dynamics in the Middle East” hosting visibility on the ground. For our political Gideon Saar, former Israeli Interior Minister work, these events and relationships are a catalyst for our day-to-day work New Dynamics in on EU-resolutions and contribute to our ability to be expert on issues related to the Middle East terrorism, the Middle East and Israel. ELNET EU & NATO participated in the Brussels Forum 2017, one of the most Countering Terrorism: important international annual events in Israeli and European Brussels. The conversations this year ad- Perspectives dressed important topics such as security and defense, foreign affairs and geopo- ELNET-EU & NATO also hosted a private litical challenges, and offered a platform dinner roundtable with MK Ohana on the for senior policy leaders to discuss the theme Countering Terrorism: Israeli and most pressing policy challenges on the European Perspectives together with the transatlantic agenda. German Marshall Fund (GMF) of the U.S. Speakers from Brussels included Dr. Peter ELNET EU & NATO organized a dinner ELNET-EU& NATO has invested considerable Spoor, Advisor to the European Counter- roundtable on the topic “New Dynamics energy, resources and time over the past year terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove, in the Middle East,” featuring Gideon to build the necessary relations with local key players in the EU and NATO, which is essential and Dr. Jamie Shea, Deputy Assistant Saar, former Israeli Interior Minister for our advocacy work. This work now bears and a potential candidate to replace Secretary for Emerging Security Challenges fruits as we are able to get access to information, in NATO with us on that evening. . Other speakers people and decisions in the making, which included Mrs. Sylke Tempel, Editor-in are key to our day to day work. Being at the The dinner was attended by 26 top level Chief at Internationale Politik, and Derek forefront of EU resolutions and EU/NATO policy participants from NATO, the European Chollet, Executive Vice President of the making that have impact on Israel is our most important objective in Brussels. Experts now External Action Service, the European German Marshall Fund of the United turn to ELNET for our expertise in key areas of Council, the European Commission and States. From 2012-15, Mr. Chollet was common concern and for our well-established the European Parliament, as well as the the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense access to Israeli counterparts thanks to our US and the Canadian Mission to the EU. for International Security Affairs, where network in Europe, Israel and beyond. The GMF and ELNET EU invited a few he managed U.S. defense policy towards select journalists representing CNN and Europe (including NATO), the Middle Handelsblatt to cover the event. East, and Africa. The discussion was led by Marc Otte, Executive Director of the The high-level participation exemplified Egmont Institute and former Special how important the exchanges between Representative of the EU to the Middle EU/NATO and Israeli counterparts are East Peace Process. today, especially on topics of shared interests. The dinner was welcomed by The dinner was officially hosted by the all participants and it helped to clarify Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the

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and answered questions from the Yoram Cohen in Brussels, FRANCE audience. He spoke about the relations March 21-22 Arie Bensamhoun between France and Israel. He said that ELNET-France, Executive Director the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian At the beginning of the year, a Belgian conflict could be the result of a compre- parliamentary group went to Israel for a Within a few months, the political situ- hensive solution including the moderate mission on the fight against terrorism and ation has deeply changed in France with Sunni Arab states in the region. they met Yoram Cohen, former chief of the election of Emmanuel Macron, who Shin Bet, whom they invited to come to This kind of event enables ELNET-France won 66.1% of the votes over Marine Le Belgium. to build a strong relationship with political Pen’s 33.9%. At only 39 years old, he is leaders and to ask them very specific Mr. Cohen stayed in Brussels for two days, the youngest president in the history of questions on the topics that matter to us. during which ELNET- France organized the fifth Republic. Macron served as Min- political meetings with Members of ister of Economy for two and half years. Parliament. Among them, Arnaud It’s been only one year since he created Strategic Dialogue France – Danjean, Philippe Pivin, Jean-Jacques his movement, En Marche! He positioned Israel, February 27-28 Flahaux, Jacques Brotchi, Viviane Teitel- it above the traditional right-left cleavage The 7th France-Israel Strategic Dialogue baum, and others. He spent an evening in order to bring together “progressives of (FSD) took place at a time when France with leaders of the Jewish community, all sides.” He benefited from a combination was headed towards its most unpredict- including, Vico levy, Joel Rubinstein, of circumstances which helped him in able presidential election, all the while Evelyne Shapiro, Efraim Fisgrout, Michel his quest for power, and by his very with a “Trump cloud” looming over all Kandiyoti; Raya Kaloneva, Executive pro-European posture, he has reassured discussions. The Dialogue assessed the Vice President of the European Jewish the electorate. He has also been able to evolving roles of the US and Russia and Congress and Roby Spiegel. coalesce a part of the French people, se- whether we are heading towards a new duced by his optimism, personal success international order, Iran and Saudi Arabia Mr. Cohen had a discussion with Gaelle and faith in the future of a country able policies and their effects in the region, as Smet, Advisor to the Mouvement Réfor- to find its place in a “happy globalization.” well as jihadist threats and perspectives. mateur (MR) party for security matters The Dialogue also dealt with the evolving at the Federal Parliament and the Euro- For the first quarter of the year, ELNET- situation on the Syrian front and in Leb- pean Parliament and Samy Sidis, special France was dedicated to the presidential anon, analyzed possible developments advisor to the MR regarding terror in campaign and, more recently, to the of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Belgium, and Frederique Ries, European legislatives, and the reinforcement of evaluated the involvement of China in the Parliament Member and Deputy Mayor partnerships between France and Israel. Middle East. of Bruxelles.

ELNET and the Forum of Strategic A delegation will come to Paris within Dialogue (FSD) organized the dialogue a few months to continue discussions with our longstanding partners on security issues and the fight against Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique terrorism. (FRS) and Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), with the endorsement of French Ministry of Defense (DGRIS). The INSS hosted the event at their office Meeting with Manuel Valls, in Tel Aviv February 27-28, and France’s Ambassador to Israel hosted all the January 10 participants for a dinner at her residence, A few days before the Socialist Party with a keynote address by Maj. Gen. primaries, ELNET organized a 6th political (ret.) Amos Gilead who just retired from meeting with Manuel Valls (following his long-standing position of Director those with Alain Juppé, Nicolas Sarkozy, of Policy and Political-Military Affairs Bruno Le Maire, Jean-François Copé, and of Israel’s Ministry of Defense. For their Emmanuel Macron), as part of prepara- welcoming dinner, the French delegation tions for the presidential elections. On had the opportunity to engage MK Elie this occasion, the former Prime Minister Elalouf, Chair, Israel-France parliamentary presented his program and ambitions, friendship group. Arnaud Danjean and Yoram Cohen

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The Safe and Smart City The next meeting of the Safe and Smart Effective August 1, 2017, Israel will have 2017 Conference – City Conference will be held in 2018 in a new ambassador to Germany, Jeremy Israel. Topics for the agenda will be based Issacharoff, whom ELNET already March 22-23, 2017 on the recommendations and conclusions knows well. The Safe and Smart City 2017 Conference of the work of 2017. The conference is represented the reinforcement of the a major step forward in the dialogue on Ensuring the presence strategic cooperation between France’s innovation between France and Israel to of Israel reference in regions and Israel. The first such improve and secure the cities of tomorrow. party programs for conference was held in 2015 in Tel Aviv. Safe and Smart City has the ambition to become a national, European and general elections international resource where smart cities Party programs are mandatory for polit- can be designed. ical parties participating in federal elec- tions in Germany. They provide electors with an idea of the party platform to let them make the “right” choice. The party programs are the basis for the GERMANY coalition treaty among the winners of Daniele Nati, ELNET-Germany, elections. Hence, what is written in the Executive Director programs will be used later as the very agenda of the newly formed govern- ment. Finally, it binds the party to the Ahead of the German general elections items specified in the party program, in The Safe & Smart City 2017 Conference in September it seemed that the rival of our case to the commitment to Israel. gathered key experts and influencers incumbent chancellor Angela Merkel, Very early in the process, ELNET from the French and Israeli business and Christian Democratic Union (CDU), took responsibility for reaching out political scenes on the theme of “New Martin Schulz of the Social Democratic to parties including CDU, SPD and Safety and Security Challenges for Smart Party (SPD) could become a serious Free Democratic Party (FDP). ELNET Cities.” The conference addressed the threat. However, the gap between the conducted several talks with relevant security of sensitive infrastructures and two major parties, CDU and SPD began politicians within the parties to explain intelligent systems in connected cities. to widen again. Still, the election is open. The initiative is based on the bilateral the importance of having Israel in the relationship between France and Israel Three regional elections were all lost party program and supported motions and on the innovative ecosystems of the by the SPD in 2017, surprisingly also in to have pro-Israel amendments in the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and traditionally more Leftist regions with a party programs. ELNET participated of Tel Aviv. ELNET-France handled the Leftist head of government, such as North at several party congresses where the political and diplomatic aspects of inviting Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein. programs were debated Israelis to France, and of course the and finalized. French participants, including: Christian The relationship between Germany and The programs of CDU, SPD, FDP Estrosi, former President of the Provence- Israel suffered recently when the first and the Greens will all contain Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, Caroline visit of GER Minister of Foreign Affairs, a reference to Israel. All of this is Pozmentier, Deputy Mayor of Marseille Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) turned into a fight embedded in ELNET’s political work and Vice-President of the PACA Region, with ISR Minister of Foreign Affairs (and for the federal elections: ELNET is Dr. Anat Berko, Knesset member and MP) Benjamin Netanyahu over a meet- contacting people in key states who world expert on terrorism, Nathalie ing with far-Left NGOs in Israel. The will become members of the German Goulet, Senator, Frédéric Pechenard, later inaugural visit of the new German Bundestag in September and linking Vice-President of Ile-de-France in charge President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD), them to us and to Israel. of security, Ronit Ben Dor, Counselor for only partially softened the tone. General- Political Affairs of the Embassy of Israel, ly speaking, the criticism towards Israel Roni Tidhar, in charge of the Security is increasing as the older generations of of Ben Gurion airport and Orit Perlov, politicians are replaced by new states- INSS specialist of radicalization on social men who are much more critical of Israel. networks. It is clear that ELNET’s work is needed more than ever in Germany.

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Visit of MK Amir Ohana In addition to the evening event, Association on Foreign and Security to Berlin MK Ohana met with Amb. Dr. Philipp Politics of the German Bundestag. Ackermann, regional director for the Near On his two-day visit, MK Amir Ohana and Middle East and the Maghreb in the met with various politicians and profes- Federal Foreign Office, Dr. Hans-Peter sionals, as well as journalists, in Berlin. Bartels, Parliamentary Commissioner for Following ELNET-Germany’s strategy to the Armed Forces, MP Thomas Hitschler broaden the spectrum of German-Israeli (SPD), member of the Defence Com- topics, we were able to approach new mittee, MP Ansgar Heveling (CDU), contacts to broaden our political network. chairman of the Committee on Internal Besides one-on-one meetings, Affairs in the German Bundestag and MP MK Ohana was the keynote speaker Matern von Marshall(CDU), member of at ELNET-Germany’s annual Yom the committee for European Affairs and Delegation of FC Bundestag Ha’atzmaut event on German-Israeli the Committee on Environment, Nature to play soccer against relations and current foreign and security Conservation, Building and Nuclear Knesset members policy issues. Alexandra Rojkov, a young Safety. Some of the topics discussed In June 2017, ELNET-Germany hosted and ambitious journalist and expert on were the security situation in the a unique delegation to Israel, which the Middle East and Israel moderated Middle East, including Syria, internal was also an historic event. Celebrating the talk. This event on April 25 attracted Israeli politics, German-Israeli relations, the 30th anniversary of the first soccer more than 100 guests including more and the cooperation of the intelligence match between Germany and Israel in than 10 parliamentarians from different services. The talks have also been 1987, ELNET invited the soccer team of parties of the German Bundestag, among influenced by the debate over Foreign the German Bundestag (Football Club them MP Stephan Mayer, spokesperson Minister Sigmar Gabriel’s visit to Israel Bundestag, FC Bundestag) to play against for interior politics of the CDU/CSU and his persistence to meet with the Knesset. The preparation of this event parliamentary group, MP Volker Beck, representatives from the NGOs “Breaking took almost one year due to the com- speaker for migration as well as religious the silence” and “B’Tselem.” Minister plexity and amount of people involved. It politics of Alliance 90/The Greens and Gabriel’s persistence resulted in the was the very first soccer match of the FC head of the German-Israeli Parliamentary cancelation of the scheduled meeting Bundestag against the Knesset team in Friendship Group, MP Michaela with Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin 50 years of the team’s history. Engelmeier, board member of the SPD Netanyahu. since 2009 and deputy head of the Besides expanding the existing network, German-Israeli Parliamentary Friend- In a meeting with more than 20 members ELNET strengthened its relationship with ship group as well as MP Saska Esken, of the Parliamentary Staffers Association German and Israeli parliamentarians. also member of the SPD and deputy on Foreign and Security Politics and the ELNET built up a working relationship spokesperson on digital agenda in the German-Israeli Staffers Association of with FC Bayern Munich: one of the SPD parliamentary group. Further, ELNET the German Bundestag, MK Ohana spoke biggest sports companies in Germany. attracted guests from the ministries, in- on the topic: “What can Europe learn FC Bayern Munich supported the ELNET cluding Dr. Rudolf Gridl, Head of Division from Israel’s Counter-Terrorism Policy?” delegation with in-kind donations. North Africa, Near and Middle East in the The visit ended with a press dinner enti- Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and ELNET-Germany successfully organized tled “2017: a challenge for the two-state Energy. From the Embassy of the State of the first football match ever between the solution?” The dinner was attended by Israel, ELNET welcomed Yair Even, Politi- FC Bundestag and the Knesset. Many more than 10 journalists from the German cal Attaché of the Embassy of Israel, and organizations previously tried to initiate public broadcaster ARD/RBB, Al Jazeera, Adi Farjon Israel, Press Spokesperson of such an event, but failed. ELNET- Berliner Zeitung, BBC and others. They the embassy. Additionally, other political Germany had press at the event, which discussed the various options on the con- professionals, e.g. political advisors to the led to a series of articles, radio interview flict and views within Israeli society. parties and committees as well as other and TV features, many of which German- Israeli organizations, business Throughout this visit, ELNET-Germany mentioned ELNET. The official press representatives and potential donors was able to broaden its political network releases of both the FC Bundestag and were present. During the event, MK Ohana and deepen already existing relation- the Knesset mentioned ELNET as well. conducted an interview with Johannes ships, e.g. with young professionals After the difficulties and friction between Bockenheimer from the major Berlin daily who have the potential to become Germany and Israel following the newspaper Der Tagesspiegel. leaders in Germany, and with the Staffers

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Gabriel-Netanyahu incident mentioned with the Poland Chapter of Vital Voices above, ELNET was able to revitalize the POLAND and the Embassy of Israel in Warsaw. Jacek Olejnik friendship between the two nations. ELNET-Poland, Executive Director A new level of friendship between the The delegation came about as a result of the long-term relationship of Katarzyna Knesset and FC Bundestag has been Polish assistance in established. Pietrzak, ELNET Poland’s Project Manager, bringing down anti-Israeli with the Poland Chapter of Vital Voices, Both the FC Bundestag and the Knesset motion at FIFA as well as the relationships of ELNET- agreed to do whatever possible to orga- Poland Executive Director Jacek The Israeli Embassy in Warsaw confirmed nize a rematch in Berlin in 2018, on the Olejnik’s and Ms. Pietrzak’s with several that Poland played an important role in occasion of the 70th anniversary of the important potential Polish donors who the prevention of a Palestinian initiative State of Israel. ELNET has already been suggested Israel as a valuable desti- aimed against Israel at the International approached to work on the rematch, nation for the organization’s annual Federation of Association Football (FIFA). reinforcing the trust and reputation delegation abroad. The close relations Thanks in part to the work of ELNET- ELNET has gained. between ELNET- Poland and the Israeli Poland, the vote on the initiative, which Embassy in Warsaw made it easier to targeted soccer teams from the Israeli reach out to work with the organization settlements, was delayed until March to plan the agenda. 2018 after FIFA’s congress voted to ac- cept Gianni Infantino’s proposal for The delegation was attended by about the delay. 40 influential CEOs of Polish branches of international corporations and large ELNET-Poland selected Infantino last Polish companies. The delegation was Spring as one of our Key Contacts at the made up mostly of women, some of parliament and government, and invested whom are highly politically involved. Delegation of Interior much time in making him a solid Friend Committee of Israel. Further, since Summer 2016, This partnership allowed ELNET-Poland ELNET–Poland also worked with Poland’s to create or deepen crucial relations with The high-ranking political delegation Deputy Minister of Sports, Mr. Jarosław potential donors, and with influential from the German parliament visited Stawiarski, who visited Israel as part of female leaders in Poland. We hope to Israel with ELNET in June 2017. The ELNET’s parliamentary delegation. receive contributions from some of the delegation, headed by Ansgar Heveling participants, and use their political This is only one of dozens of examples of MdB, Chair of the Committee of Internal connections with our ongoing work with how we successfully use pro-Israel advo- Affairs of the German Bundestag, the law makers and government officials. consisted of seven members of the cacy in Europe, with important contacts German Parliament including e.g. we’ve cultivated and educated by taking Dr. Stephan Harbarth MdB, Deputy high ranking law makers and government Chairman of the Christian Democratic officials to Israel. Polish officials are typi- Union (CDU). The delegation partici- cally pro-Israel, but their interest in Israel pants were not only able to exchange needs to be deepened, which can then be their in-depth and profound knowledge translated to actual pro-Israel decisions regarding internal security issues, such on national and international levels. as cyber security and counter terrorism We look forward to continued beneficial but also pursue their personal interest in results from this important relationship. learning more about Israel in general. Vital Voices – a large group Pro-Israel legislation as part of top Polish businesswomen of upcoming Year of Poland- to visit Israel Israel Friendship 2018 A visit of a high-profile business delega- ELNET-Poland inspired both chambers of tion to Israel to explore Israel’s politics, the Polish parliament (Sejm and Senate) hi-tech, and business sectors, as well as to to consider naming 2018 as the Year of see first-hand the gender equality enjoyed Poland-Israel Friendship (to commem- by Israelis. The project was in cooperation orate the Jewish State’s 70th birthday,

6 LEADERSHIP BRIEFING SUMMER 2017 as well as Poland’s 100th anniversary of the Forum had several Israeli experts, rapidly changing realities on the ground re-gaining independence after WWI). many side-events, and media attention. might force the EU to rethink its policy. It is not simply about events (although In 2017, the Forum will have a full panel Coupled with Israel’s changing image as we plan them, too, including conferences, on Israel with several speakers. Plans a partner on the critical issues of counter delegations, media presence, etc.), but are underway to bring a major political terrorism (CT) and cyber security, there actual influence on legislative process figure from Israel to open the event is a window of opportunity for a change in Warsaw and eventually also on and engage in close friendly relations in Israel-EU relations, which ELNET is EU/NATO/UN levels. with peers in Poland’s security, military, nurturing. and intelligence communities. In 2018, nd The idea initially came up at a dinner Israel will be a main participant at the 2 EU-Israel Strategic hosted by ELNET-Poland in Warsaw in event, with large stands all over the site, Dialogue, November 2016 July 2016 after a delegation of 10 MPs of promotion of Israeli hi-tech and military The FSD and ELNET organized the the governing party (Law and Justice) to businesses, and tremendous media Second EU-Israel Strategic Dialogue Israel. As part of the delegation ELNET attention. This will be a central part of in Israel in November 2016 in partner- Poland hosted two deputy ministers the Poland-Israel Friendship Year, and ship with the EPC (European Policy (Energy and Sports). It was the largest a first-class finale of a long process of Center)—a leading EU think tank. The and most high-profile delegation of lobbying and relationship building. Polish parliament to Israel ever orga- Dialogue attracted the participation of nized. At the dinner, hosted by one of Further, thanks to these efforts, ELNET- numerous high-level influential players ELNET- Poland’s local Polish donors, Poland, in cooperation with ELNET- Israel, in the EEAS: Dr. Nicholas Westcott, in the presence of Anna Azari, Israeli will host Grzegorz Małecki, the former Managing Director for the Middle East Ambassador to Poland, the idea emerged head of the Polish Intelligence Agency, and North Africa, EEAS, the second-most in the discussion and the MPs were very in Israel. He has shown himself to be senior EU diplomat dealing with the excited about it. supportive of our work. Middle East, after EU HR/VP Mogherini herself; Amb. Fernando Gentilini, EU Israel – the main guest of Special Representative for the Middle the biggest security forum East Peace Process (MEPP); and Dr. Nathalie Tocci, Deputy Director, special in Central Europe, and more adviser to Ms. Mogherini, who led and In 2014, ELNET-Poland, was established authored the EU’s new global strategy with only one person, no office, and no on foreign and security policy (EUGS). permanent budget. At that time, EL- Mr. Grzegorz Małecki, ELNET’s guest Dr. Westcott mentioned, “Quite a lot of NET-Poland tried to partner in the biggest at CyberWeek in Tel Aviv good things are happening, often unseen and most prestigious policy and security by the naked eye, but they are there” and event in Poland, the Warsaw Security “EU-Israel cooperation is moving in a rel- Forum (WSF). ELNET-Poland was un- atively positive direction” in an interview surprisingly, not accepted to participate; with . A high-ranking there was not even one Israeli speaker, EU official even qualified “our unofficial even at panels related to the Middle East. dialogue as the real strategic dialogue, while the official dialogue is not really Since that time, ELNET-Poland built a David Siegel a dialogue.” The dialogue reached wide relationship with the chairman of this ELNET-Israel, CEO audiences in the Twitter world — about event, Mr. Zbigniew Pisarski, who is Eran Etzion 65,000 users. a highly respected political figure in Forum of Strategic Dialogue, Executive Director Poland. It took dozens of meetings and The seeds were sown for the FSD to dinners funded by one of our donors, launch an annual Italy-Israel Strategic but eventually he agreed to visit Israel The EU will become more security Dialogue. The FSD and the IAI are for the first time in his life, in a visit fully oriented, pragmatically driven and less currently working to gather support for planned and executed by ELNET. He left globalized, which brings it closer to Israel this important endeavour, which could Tel Aviv in love with the country and on the level of narrative and potentially hopefully be realized by the end of this eager to know more about its political on the policy level as well. While this so year. The FSD and ELNET are in the life and security issues. He invited Israel far has not affected the age-old “linkage” process of creating a joint policy paper to be part of WSF in 2015, with one (conditionality) between the Israeli- with the EPC on future EU-Israel relations Israeli general invited to speak. In 2016, Palestinian conflict and EU-Israel relations, under the Trump administration, which

7 LEADERSHIP BRIEFING SUMMER 2017 will be published and distributed to key The FSD is looking into publishing an from the highest levels of government, EU and Israeli officials. expert note with Chatham House following business, and academia to address the dialogue. Considering the UK is pressing national, regional and global nd 2 UK-Israel Strategic leaving the EU and will formulate its strategic issues. Conclusion, and/or next Dialogue, April 2017 foreign policy towards Israel inde- steps following it. pendently, this track is of particular The FSD and Chatham House, the Royal importance. The Roundtable session was entitled Institute of International Affairs, one of the “A new Europe in the making: what’s in world’s leading think tanks, successfully store for Israel and the Middle East?” and held their second annual UK-Israel included 13 carefully selected speakers, Strategic Dialogue in April 2017. The as well as around 30 influential deci- UK-Israel bilateral relations are strong, sion-makers in the European-Israeli especially regarding trade and military, arena. Participants and guests from security, and intelligence cooperation, across Europe, the US and Israel included characterized as “the best ever.” no less than five European ambassadors Post-Brexit there is high uncertainty to Israel (France, Germany, Greece, regarding the UK’s strategy towards the Cyprus and Finland) as well as Dr. Philip US and the EU in areas such as trade David Siegel (ELNET-Israel CEO) with Israel’s H. Gordon, Senior Fellow, Council on arrangements, Justice & Home Affairs and Minister , Minister of Regional Foreign Relations and former Special counter terrorism (information sharing, Cooperation and then Acting Minister of Communication and Nadav Eyal, Chief Assistant to President Barack Obama and Europol, etc.) and the Common Security International Correspondent, Channel 10 White House Coordinator for the Middle and Defense Policy (CSDP) among others, News at the 2nd UK-Israel Strategic Dialogue. East, North Africa, and the Gulf Region; which gave the group of British and Israeli Amb. Jeremy Issacharoff, Vice Director senior officials, politicians, experts and General, Head of Multilateral Affairs journalists plenty of material to discuss. 17th Herzliya Conference Directorate, Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA); and MK Ksenia Svetlova, Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, Minister of (4th year), June 2017 Alternate Member, Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation and acting Minister For the fourth consecutive year, ELNET Defense Committee. of Communication gave a keynote and the FSD hosted a special, invitation address articulating the valuable work of only Roundtable session in June 2017 at The Roundtable was yet another example Israel’s Ministry of Regional cooperation the prestigious 17th Herzliya Conference of our solid partnership with the Herzliya as well as challenges and opportunities in partnership with the IDC (Interdisci- Conference, which no doubt contributes for Israel in a changing Middle East. plinary Center). The Herzliya Confer- to building our network and enhancing He then addressed questions of the ence is Israel’s primary annual global our ability to influence policymakers and participants of the Dialogue triggered by policy gathering, drawing together elected officials involved in European- their first full day of discussions. Israeli and international participants Israeli affairs.

WHO WE ARE Friends of the European Leadership Network (FELNET) FELNET Board of Directors FELNET Advisory Board Larry J. Hochberg John Fishel Mark Kirk, former U.S. Senator Howard Berman, former U.S. Representative Chairman and Co-Founder Leonard Foxman Joseph Lieberman, former U.S. Senator Shelley Berkley, former U.S. Representative Kenneth A. Ruby Andrew S. Hochberg Norman Coleman, former U.S. Senator Elliott Abrams, former U.S. National Security Vice Chairman and Treasurer David Jonas Council Advisor Joseph W. Feinberg Jerry Rosenberg European Leadership Network (ELNET) Affiliates ELNET has offices in Berlin, Brussels, Paris, Tel Aviv and Warsaw FELNET Staff Contact for Friends of ELNET Lee V. Rosenblum, National Executive Director Lee Rosenblum: (917) 722-1255 • [email protected] Steven Rosen, Strategic Advisor 641 Lexington Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10022 Jonathan Boyer, West Coast Director Jonathan Boyer: (310) 205-0488 • [email protected] Rebecca Modell, National Operations Manager 10573 West Pico Blvd. #369 • Los Angeles, CA 90064 www.elnetwork.eu Donations can be made to Friends of ELNET by mailing checks to an address above, or online at www.elnetwork.eu The Friends of ELNET (FELNET) was established to support the education of leaders and citizens in Europe and the United States about Israel. Friends of ELNET (European Leadership Network) is a nonprofit organization that is tax exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Federal Tax ID# 45-2212393.