The elections in Germany on September 26, 2021 brought to an end Angela Merkel’s 16 consecutive years as Chancellor. Her approach to management of affairs of state and international issues was characterized by mastery of the facts, credibility, avoidance of statements or actions that could encourage extreme positions, and an effort to reach a broad consensus. At the same time, her policies lacked overall strategy and vision, and displayed unwillingness to take electoral risks. Thus Merkel will be remembered as one who managed crises,...
At the start of H. E. President Isaac Herzog’s term of office, and following the many global and local developments and changes over the past six months – including a new administration in Washington, President Biden’s decision to try to return to the nuclear deal with Iran, the formation of a new government in Israel, and growing tensions in Israeli society, including clashes between Arabs and Jews in Israeli cities – the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) presented to President Herzog highlights on the main strategic...
The European Union and the Israeli government are divided over the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and in the last decade disagreements have intensified to the point of a political rift between the senior echelons of EU institutions and Israel. This disconnect is reflected in the fact that the Association Council – the most senior forum for dialogue between EU members and institutions and countries that are not members but are considered important partners for the EU – has not met in the past decade, although it is...
Joe Biden made his first presidential visit outside the United States to Europe, attending the G7 summit, the NATO summit, and a meeting with EU leaders. At the end of the visit, Biden met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva. For the US President, the trip was “about realizing America’s renewed commitment to [its] allies and partners, and demonstrating the capacity of democracies to both meet the challenges and deter the threats of this new age.” Specifically, the administration is interested in mobilizing US...
This report, produced by the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), in collaboration with the Jewish Agency for Israel, examines and analyzes the phenomenon of contemporary antisemitism in the political discourse of five major Western European countries—Germany, France, Britain, Spain, and Ireland. The research is based on systematic mapping of public expressions of antisemitism by elected officials, over a period of one year, from late 2019 until late 2020.
The findings indicate that some politicians in Western Europe—on...
Shahar Eilam | Adi Kantor | Tom Eshed | Tal-Or Cohen
The escalation between Israel and Hamas elicited responses in the form of statements from some EU members. The common denominator of the rhetoric included condemnation of Hamas for the rocket fire at Israeli civilians, support of Israel’s right to self-defense, and a call for an end to hostilities. Separate statements by various countries noted additional points, some of which emphasized the importance of renewing the Israeli-Palestinian political process. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep...
For years European Union heads of state have debated what policy the EU should adopt vis-à-vis Turkey. The dilemma has intensified in recent years due to the aggressive external policy and authoritarian internal policy pursued by Erdogan. Relations with Turkey have deteriorated substantially, from its being a candidate for EU membership to being an object of threatened European sanctions. These complex relations, and the attempt on both sides to contain the rift, also have implications for Israel. The lack of a comprehensive solution...
The European Green Deal (EGD) is the new European Union growth strategy to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy. By 2050, the European Union aims to be free of net greenhouse gas emissions, decouple economic growth from resource use, and “leave no one behind.” The significant budget allocated to climate solutions reflects the relevance of the Green Deal in the European agenda. Israel, for its part, should establish broader collaboration in innovating green technologies and use this...
The leaders of the major members of the European Union could sigh with relief upon hearing President Biden’s first statements on foreign policy. His remarks indicate that the United States is resuming its central role in the international arena, with a renewed emphasis on diplomacy, multilateralism, universal human rights, and the rule of law. Cooperation between the United States and the European Union, which waned during Trump’s term in office – thereby eroding their ability to deal with shared challenges – is now...
The strategic assessment for Israel for 2021 is shaped by significant uncertainty in three principal areas: the level of success in coping with COVID-19; the modus operandi and policies of the new administration in the United States; and the political developments in Israel. The current assessment is based on a broader conception of national security, which places greater weight than in the past on the domestic arena and on threats to internal stability, social cohesion, values, and fabric of life. This of course does not detract...
The strategic assessment for Israel for 2021 is shaped by significant uncertainty in three principal areas: the level of success in coping with COVID-19; the modus operandi and policies of the new administration in the United States; and the political developments in Israel. The current assessment is based on a broader conception of national security, which places greater weight than in the past on the domestic arena and on threats to internal stability, social cohesion, values, and fabric of life. This of course does not detract...
The State of Israel’s strategic balance in 2020 is the basis for the policy recommendations for the coming year. In implementing these recommendations, it is important to emphasize the State of Israel’s overarching objectives: to strengthen Israel as a Jewish, democratic, secure, prosperous, and just state that is at peace with its neighbors. These objectives define Israel’s purpose, both in the eyes of the Israeli public and in the eyes of the international community.
The State of Israel’s strategic efforts and...
