Alerts

Can the Relationship Between Israel and Europe Change?

Experts from the Jerusalem Center and visitors from Europe at the conference
Can Israeli-European relations change? Experts from the Jerusalem Center and visitors from Europe at the conference

Due to the strains in European-Israeli relations, the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs has launched an initiative to find solutions to these differences and improve this relationship.

On March 19, 2018, a special conference took place at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs with several senior officials from various European countries on the subject of relations with Israel, attitudes toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, financing terror, conflict with Iran with regard to the nuclear deal, and the BDS issue.

The aim of the conference, titled “Israel-Europe Relations: A New Paradigm,” was to establish a new Israeli-European framework to face new challenges along the way and to develop potential new solutions to strengthen the mutual institutional and diplomatic relations between Europe and Israel.

Fiamma Nirenstein, the conference organizer, a researcher at the Center, and a former member of the Italian parliament, explained the reason why it was held.

“We invited several senior EU officials to the Center in order to try to devise a shared strategy for Israel and the other countries,” Ms. Nirenstein said. “It’s apparent that the European approach toward Israel is often disappointing and biased right from the beginning. In my opinion, Israel and the European countries have a lot in common, and it’s necessary to work together against the dangers of extremism, terror, economic problems, and the lack of democracy in the Middle East.”

Various researchers from the Jerusalem Center attended the event and also participated in the panel. These included the Center’s president Dr. Dore Gold, former ambassador Freddy Eytan, Dan Diker, Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, former ambassador Alan Baker, former ambassador Zvi Mazel, Col. (ret.) Dr. Jacques Neriah, Dr. Shimon Shapira, and Pinhas Inbari.

Emanuel Giaufret
EU Ambassador Emanuele Giaufret

The sessions, which were closed to media coverage, aroused much interest. The various positions of the different countries in Europe toward Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict were apparent, as was Europe’s approach as a whole. Guests from Italy, Belgium, Germany, Finland, France, and England also took part. EU Ambassador to Israel Emanuele Giaufret addressed the members of the panel, dealing with some difficult issues raised by the participants. A dinner with Energy Minister Professor Yuval Steinitz at the King David Hotel concluded the conference.

A List of Participants at the Conference

Participants from Europe

  1. Saad Amrani, Chief Commissioner of the Belgian Federal Police
  2. Volker Beck, Human right activist, Former German MP, Green Party, Head of the German-Israeli parliamentary friendship association in the former German Parliament
  3. Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, Former Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs
  4. François Heisbourg, Chair of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Council
  5. Ignacio Cosidó, Spanish Senator, former Director of the Spanish Police
  6. Marco Carrai, Cyber-security entrepreneur, Advisor to former PM Renzi, Italy (via Skype)
  7. Tomas Sandell, European Coalition for Israel, Finland / European Parliament
  8. William Shawcross, Writer and commentator, former Chairman of the Charity Commission for England and Wales
  9. Daniel Schwammenthal, Director, AJC Transatlantic Institute, Brussels
  10. Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem PostColumnist, Research fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Jerusalem Center Participants

  1. Amb. Dore Gold, President of the Jerusalem Center, former Ambassador to the UN and former Director General of the Ministry on Foreign Affairs
  2. Fiamma Nirenstein, Director of the JCPA European Project, former Vice-president of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Chamber of Deputies
  3. Gen. Yossi Kuperwasser, former Director General of the Ministry of Strategic Affairs
  4. Dan Diker, Director of the Political Warfare Project, expert on BDS
  5. Amb. Freddy Eytan, former Foreign Ministry senior advisor, Israel-Europe Project, director of Le Cape, the Jerusalem Center website in French
  6. Amb. Alan Baker, Director of the Institute for Contemporary Affairs and head of the Global Law Forum
  7. Pinchas Inbari, Senior expert on Palestinian Affairs
  8. Chaya Herskovic, Director General of the Jerusalem Center
  9. Dr. Jacques Neriah, expert on Arab world. Former Foreign Policy Advisor to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Deputy Head for Assessment of Israeli Military Intelligence
  10. Amb. Zvi Mazel, former Israel’s Ambassador to Sweden, Romania, and Egypt
  11. Dr. Shimon Shapira, Former Military-Secretary to the Prime Minister and Israel Foreign Ministry chief of staff
  12. Lenny Ben David, Director of Publications of the Jerusalem Center
  13. Jennifer Roskies, Senior Advisor to Amb. Dore Gold
  14. Yoni Ben Menachem, Former Director General and Chief Editor of the Israel Broadcasting Authority, JCPA Senior Middle East analyst

Stay Informed, Always

Get the latest news, insights, and updates directly in your inbox—be the first to know!

Subscribe to Jerusalem Issue Briefs
The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Notifications

The Jerusalem Center
Canada investigating Israeli-Canadian IDF soldiers?
JCFA senior researcher, Amb. Alan Baker slams the probe as a “political PR stunt with no legal basis.” “This isn’t justice—it’s a betrayal. Canada is siding with PLO propaganda over facts.”
11:29am
The Jerusalem Center
What makes a child believe killing a #Jew is justified?

In PA textbooks, Jews are called liars and frauds; their fate: elimination. This is #indoctrination—not #education. But change is happening. On East to West, @IMPACT_SE CEO Marcus Sheff exposes how #UNRWA-funded schools are fueling extremism—and what real reform looks like.  Listen now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2JHqh973U  Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/8OkJTGNfVUc

11:43am
The Jerusalem Center
Highlights from the @Jerusalem_Post Annual Conference in NYC:

Dr. @Dan_Diker, President of the JCFA: “October 7 wasn’t just an attack on Israel — it was a blow to the U.S. on Israeli soil. It demands moral clarity and a united front between Israel and the U.S. to defeat jihadist terror.”

2:20pm
The Jerusalem Center
@XAVIAERD says it like it is

Well, @XAVIAERD says it like it is: If you’re part of “#Queers for #Palestine,” he’ll pay for your flight to #Gaza. Go see for yourself how they treat LGBTQ+ people over there. Don’t miss this bold take on the Israel-Hamas war and the woke right.

2:32pm
The Jerusalem Center
“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.”

“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.” On Our Middle East by @JNS_org, @Dan_Diker@KhaledAbuToameh (JCFA/@GatestoneInst) break it down: If Hamas isn’t crushed, Iran wins. The jihadis—from #Gaza to your campus—get the green light. Diker: “This war is for the West.” No fluff. No filters. Just raw insight from two insiders who actually know what’s going on.  Watch: youtu.be/4Aq_zcbb4Yo

2:15pm
The Jerusalem Center
5/5 Lt. Col. Kalo on East to West with @smartinezamir:

“This operation showcases Israel’s strategic intelligence superiority both regionally and globally. It demonstrates the moral commitment to recovered soldiers and also strengthens Israel’s position with allies.” youtube.com/watch?v=nIvNNi

2:07pm
The Jerusalem Center
4/5 The operation built on intelligence gathered during the 2019 #Baumel recovery

#Mossad agents operated under cover in #Syria for years, visiting a graveyard multiple times under fire to collect remains for DNA matching. The intelligence community’s evolution combines technology, big data analysis, and human intelligence capabilities.

2:02pm
The Jerusalem Center
3/5 This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from #Hamas in #Gaza, significantly boosting national morale amid an ongoing conflict now stretching over 18 months. The dual successes demonstrate #Israel‘s unwavering commitment to bringing all soldiers home.

1:58pm
The Jerusalem Center
2/5 The operation used the power vacuum following #Assad’s fall from #Damascus

Lt. Col. Avi Kalo, former head of IDF Prisoners & Missing Persons Division, calls it “an outstanding event that brings hope and new spirit to the people of Israel.” The operation utilized the power vacuum following #Assad‘s fall from #Damascus, allowing #Israeli intelligence to deploy ground capabilities in #Syria.

1:56pm
The Jerusalem Center
1/5 Israeli forces recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi Feldman

In an unprecedented operation, Israeli forces have recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi #Feldman, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub. The complex #Mossad mission was conducted deep within #Syrian territory, 43 years after his disappearance. This follows the successful 2019 recovery of Zachary #Baumel from the same battle.

1:54pm
The Jerusalem Center
A molotov attack on a bus = a “barbecue party”?

That’s what #Palestinian kids are being taught under @UNRWA  — from grade school to graduation. This isn’t education. It’s indoctrination. Marcus Sheff of @IMPACT_SE  breaks it down with @smartinezamir

12:51pm

Close

Most Popular

Close