Strategic DialoguesTrack 1.5 diplomacy
High-level strategic dialogues between Europe and Israel on the major geopolitical issues facing both — a platform that goes beyond the constraints of formal inter-governmental talks.
ELNET’s Strategic Dialogues — introduction
MissionA unique platform for “Track 1.5” dialogue between Europe and Israel
- Track 1.5 — governmental and non-governmental participants
- Annual bilateral dialogues with France, Germany, the UK, Italy and Spain
- Multilateral formats with the EU, NATO, CEE, MENA and the US
- First dialogue launched in 2010; FSD established in 2013
ELNET’s 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.
GoalsDialogue, understanding, and lasting professional ties
The three goals of the FSD
- To promote an in-depth dialogue between Israeli and European officials and experts in the fields of national security and foreign policy
- To enhance mutual understanding and advance joint interests
- To establish professional ties and personal relations
The DialoguesBilateral and multilateral formats across Europe, Israel and beyond
- 12 strategic dialogues established in total
- France–Israel: the first dialogue, launched in 2010
- Annual bilaterals: France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain
- Multilaterals: EU, NATO, US–Europe–Israel Trilateral, CEE, Europe–MENA
ELNET established a total of 12 strategic dialogues. The first Strategic Dialogue, between France and Israel, was launched by ELNET in 2010. The success of this event led to collaboration with additional prestigious European and Israeli think tanks and governmental institutions, and to the establishment of the FSD in 2013.
Today, the FSD carries out annual Israeli-European bilateral dialogues with key countries, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain. The FSD has also established multilateral dialogues, including with the EU, NATO, the US-Europe-Israel Trilateral Strategic Dialogue, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Europe-Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Forum.
France–Israel Strategic Dialogue
Germany–Israel Strategic Forum
UK–Israel Strategic Dialogue
Italy–Israel Strategic Dialogue
Spain–Israel Strategic Dialogue
Romania–Israel Strategic Dialogue
EU–Israel Strategic Dialogue
NATO–Israel Cooperation
U.S.–Europe–Israel Strategic Dialogue
CEE–Israel Strategic Dialogue
Europe–Middle East Forum
E3–Israel Strategic Dialogue
Each dialogue convenes serving officials, parliamentarians, senior military and intelligence figures, diplomats and leading experts — in a closed-door setting designed for candour rather than communiqués.
GallerySessions, delegations and encounters across Europe and Israel
Former ChairsThe people who shaped ELNET’s strategic dialogue
Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Yadlin
Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Yadlin, served as Head of the Israeli Defense Intelligence, Director of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), and is a senior security and foreign policy expert. He served 41 years in the IDF, as a member of the General Staff, Deputy Commander of the Air Force, Commander of Combat Squadrons, and Commander of Air Force Bases. Formerly an IDF attaché to the United States, Maj. Gen. (res.) Yadlin served as Head of the Defense Intelligence Directorate from 2006-2010. Among Yadlin’s academic credentials are degrees in economics and business administration with honors from Ben Gurion University of the Negev, as well as a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University. Major General (ret.) Amos Yadlin joined the Belfer Center at Harvard University as a senior fellow in September 2021 and also serves as a consultant to international companies.
Amb. Michael “Mike” Herzog
Mike Herzog retired from active duty in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as brigadier general in 2010, after a long and distinguished career. His service included heading the Strategic Planning Division of the IDF and working with four ministers of defense as senior military aide and chief of staff. Since 1993, Herzog has actively participated in nearly all of Israel’s peace negotiations with the Palestinian, Syrians and Jordanians, including in the last round of Israeli-Palestinian talks in 2014. With the signing of the Abraham Accords, he oversaw the launching of ELNET’s Europe-Middle East Forum, a new platform bringing together Israeli, European, and Arab leaders aimed at strengthening regional normalization. In 2021, Mr. Herzog was nominated as Israel’s next Ambassador to the United States.
Previous Strategic DialoguesDrag the canvas — or search — to explore every dialogue
A living archive of every ELNET strategic dialogue. Drag the canvas in any direction — it never ends — and click a photograph to open that dialogue’s full story.
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