Research and Policy Group: Israel in the Mediterranean Basin
Daniel Wajner, Dr. Roee Kibrik and Dr. Aviad Rubin
The research and policy group “Israel in the Mediterranean Basin” is a project established by the Davis Institute for International Relations at the Hebrew University, the Mitvim Institute and the National Security Institute at the University of Haifa. The directors of the group are Daniel Wajner, on behalf of the Davis Institute, Dr. Roee Kibrik, on behalf of Mitvim, and Dr. Aviad Rubin, on behalf of Haifa University. Among the thirty participants are leading researchers in the field, former MKs, former Ambassadors and officials of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, trade union officials, among others.
The group’s rational lies in the current development of political, economic, security and social processes in the Mediterranean basin, which have drawn increasing attention from regional powers and states. This process of crystallization of the Mediterranean region evokes many opportunities for Israel as well as considerable challenges. In order to assess the possible developments, identify the opportunities and plan the desired political steps, it is necessary to understand the arena, identify the trends, and map the different issues, actors and interests. Consequently, this two-year policy-oriented project aims to contribute understanding on the Mediterranean arena and Israel’s place in it, formulating policy principles and promoting political dialogue with key actors in the region. More specifically, the research and policy group focuses on geopolitical processes in the Mediterranean basin (changing relations between the countries of the region and the involvement of international powers in it); Israel’s foreign policy towards the Mediterranean; the impact of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the reality in Gaza on the Mediterranean; how Mediterranean countries can help one another in promoting conflict resolution; the institutionalization of regional relations; as well as common opportunities and challenges in the area of democracy, energy, refugees, law, regulation and the environment. The research and policy group will hold six meetings over the coming year 2019-2020.
The research and policy group “Israel in the Mediterranean Basin” is a project established by the Davis Institute for International Relations at the Hebrew University, the Mitvim Institute and the National Security Institute at the University of Haifa. The directors of the group are Daniel Wajner, on behalf of the Davis Institute, Dr. Roee Kibrik, on behalf of Mitvim, and Dr. Aviad Rubin, on behalf of Haifa University. Among the thirty participants are leading researchers in the field, former MKs, former Ambassadors and officials of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, trade union officials, among others.
The group’s rational lies in the current development of political, economic, security and social processes in the Mediterranean basin, which have drawn increasing attention from regional powers and states. This process of crystallization of the Mediterranean region evokes many opportunities for Israel as well as considerable challenges. In order to assess the possible developments, identify the opportunities and plan the desired political steps, it is necessary to understand the arena, identify the trends, and map the different issues, actors and interests. Consequently, this two-year policy-oriented project aims to contribute understanding on the Mediterranean arena and Israel’s place in it, formulating policy principles and promoting political dialogue with key actors in the region. More specifically, the research and policy group focuses on geopolitical processes in the Mediterranean basin (changing relations between the countries of the region and the involvement of international powers in it); Israel’s foreign policy towards the Mediterranean; the impact of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the reality in Gaza on the Mediterranean; how Mediterranean countries can help one another in promoting conflict resolution; the institutionalization of regional relations; as well as common opportunities and challenges in the area of democracy, energy, refugees, law, regulation and the environment. The research and policy group will hold six meetings over the coming year 2019-2020.