Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Israel

30/07/2026

07/07/2026

Last week, we hosted in Haifa, with our partners, the Institute for Maritime Policy & Strategy (MPS) and in collaboration with the Ministry of Regional Cooperation and the Center for Strategic Dialogue at Netanya Academic College, a two-day international workshop and on-site tour, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and local leaders to discuss how the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) could strengthen regional connectivity, trade, and resilience amid growing geopolitical challenges.
A key takeaway: Israel should take a more active role in advancing the initiative and preparing the infrastructure needed to realize its potential.
The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Israel remains committed to supporting research and dialogue on IMEC as a strategic opportunity for regional cooperation, economic resilience, and Israel’s regional integration.

Photos: Priel Hackim

05/07/2026

Over the past year, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Israel, in partnership with the The Institute for Maritime Policy & Strategy (MPS), has been advancing an international research initiative involving leading scholars from Israel and across the region. The study examines the strategic, economic, and transportation implications of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), the proposed corridor linking India, the Middle East, the Port of Haifa, and Europe. The importance of this initiative has grown significantly over the past year in light of disruptions to maritime shipping routes caused by Iran and its proxies in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, underscoring the need for reliable land and maritime alternatives for international trade.

The first phase of the research, which examined the implications of expanding overland trade from the United Arab Emirates through Jordan to Israel by truck, has now been completed. To discuss its findings and broader implications, the Institute for Maritime Policy and Strategy and the Center for Strategic Dialogue at Netanya Academic College held a two-day international workshop, in partnership with the Ministry of Regional Cooperation and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Israel.

The workshop brought together researchers from Israel and abroad, alongside representatives of government ministries and local authorities located along the proposed route of the future corridor. The second day was dedicated to a field tour along the proposed route, during which local government leaders presented the opportunities, challenges, and implications of the corridor passing through their jurisdictions.

One of the workshop’s principal conclusions was that the Government of Israel should become a formal participant of the initiative and designate a lead ministry responsible for its implementation. It also emphasized the need to assess the transportation infrastructure required for the project and determine whether Israel’s current port development program meets the corridor’s long-term requirements.

The initiative is now more important than ever in light of the geopolitical changes taking place across the region and ongoing efforts by various countries to reroute the corridor so that it bypasses Israel.

In cooperation with the Institute for Maritime Policy and Strategy, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Israel will continue to support complementary research and foster informed public and professional dialogue on IMEC, recognizing its strategic importance for regional stability, Europe’s economic resilience and Israel’s regional integration.

Photos: Priel Hackim

המכון למדיניות ואסטרטגיה ימית
המכללה האקדמית נתניה

23/06/2026

Hard to believe how long the security cooperation between Germany and Israel has already been in place: for 50 years, the Military Attaché Staff of the German Embassy in Israel has been active.

It was a great pleasure to commemorate this important anniversary together with Defense Attaché Colonel Michael E. Rüb and numerous guests from politics, diplomacy, the armed forces, business, and civil society. The visit of the frigate F223 Nordrhein-Westfalen to the port of Haifa provided a special setting for the evening. In many respects, it symbolizes partnership, dialogue, and the shared responsibility for security and stability in a challenging region.

22/06/2026

Last week, our team from the Israel Office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung visited the newly opened מוזיאון הכנסת - Knesset Museum in central Jerusalem. Housed in the historic Froumine House, the museum commemorates the building that served as Israel’s temporary parliament from 1950 to 1966, before the Knesset moved to its current home.

During the formative years of the State of Israel, Froumine House witnessed some of the most significant moments in the country’s democratic development. It was the site of landmark legislation, including several Basic Laws, as well as intense public debates and demonstrations surrounding major national decisions, such as the reparations agreement with Germany after the Holocaust. The building also endured moments of profound tension, including an assassination attempt against Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion.

Yet throughout these challenges, Israel’s democratic institutions persevered. The house kept standing. The history of Froumine House serves as a powerful reminder that democracy is resilient, but never guaranteed and that democratic values and institutions need to be safeguarded for future generations.

17/06/2026

Yesterday, KAS Israel and our partner, the ILF- Israeli Leadership Forum, came together for a thought-provoking discussion with Dovi Frances, one of Israel’s leading venture capital investors and an advisor to the Israeli government on AI.

The conversation centered on artificial intelligence - one of the most consequential forces shaping the future of our societies. Together, we explored the opportunities AI presents, the challenges it raises, and its far-reaching implications for economies, governance, and public life.

As AI continues to transform the world around us, fostering informed dialogue and forward-looking leadership has never been more important.

As Konrad Adenauer once observed:

“This period of unrest is also characterized by unprecedented technological progress, which may prove to be either a blessing or a curse for humanity.”

This reflection feels particularly relevant today, as we navigate the promises and risks of artificial intelligence and consider how leadership and democratic societies can harness technological change for the common good.

15/06/2026

On Sunday, participants of the Conflict Management, Resolution and Negotiation Program at Bar-Ilan University, gathered for our Intercultural Seminar “Mixed Cities – Ramle: How Do We Continue the Culture of Shared Living?”, hosted by the Mayor of Ramle, Michael Vidal, beginning with a guided walk through the Old City, followed by a full day of conversations, perspectives, and community encounters.
From discussions on the critical triangle of municipality, police, and civil society, to personal stories shaping Ramle’s civic fabric, the seminar highlighted the city’s diverse voices and lived realities. Panels brought together local leaders, community representatives, and practitioners from Ramle and Lod, alongside reflections on mediation, identity, and coexistence in times of tension.
The day also included a visit to the historic Pool of Arches and concluded with a comparative look at Ramle and Lod in the broader regional context.
A thoughtful mix of field experience, dialogue, and shared reflection—centered on one key question: how do we keep building life together in mixed cities?

@ראש העיר מיכאל וידל
@התוכנית לניהול ויישוב סכסוכים ומו"מ -אוניברסיטת בר-אילן

14/06/2026