It is my pleasure to continue the tradition and participate in the opening of the 4th edition of the “2-day Ambassador Conference on Diplomacy and International Affairs” organized by the Lauder-Reut Educational Complex.
Although over the years new dynamics, challenges and threats appear on the international stage, diplomacy has remained important and adapted itself according to the complexity of our times.
Becoming a diplomat means going through a demanding, continuous selection, with very high criteria, which include a broad education and knowledge, good social skills, proficiency in languages, and many other competences. Our profession demands deep understanding of the international arena, with all the diverse and complex interactions between states and non-state actors. It involves conducting negotiations and dialogues in many domains, as well as weaving ties between different actors and audiences. It is a long and demanding route, but it is incredibly interesting and highly rewarding.
Dear students,
Several topics will be discussed later in the conference, such as energy security, cyber warfare, religious extremism and terrorism, and I take this opportunity to make a few points in relation to Israel.
My country, Israel, has succeeded in realizing many achievements, despite the difficult challenges it has been confronting internally and internationally. Part of this success is due to the investments made by our government in R&D. Innovative technological solutions to local, regional and global challenges that are successfully implemented in Israel are transferred to other corners of the world.
Regarding energy security, until recently, Israel secured its energy needs through diplomatic channels. But in parallel it has focused on technologies for alternative energy sources, such as solar or geo-thermal power, as genuine substitutes for conventional power plants that consume fossil fuels.
In the meantime, the exploitation of gas in the Mediterranean has revealed huge natural reserves which allow Israel to become an energy exporter. As the changes in the global energy balance are impacting the foreign policy of many actors, these new developments are upgrading the strategic position of Israel, offering opportunities for cooperation with pragmatic regional players. However, the discovery of energy resources is not only a strategic dimension, but also of economic significance, as it generates business ventures with companies in the energy sector from many countries.
Moving further to the next topic, cyber security became one of the most important topic of this age, and Israel was among the first countries in the world to recognize the importance of defending its critical computerized systems.
Three years ago the Israeli National Cyber Bureau was created to enhance the protection of national infrastructure from cyber-attack and, in order to upgrade Israel’s cyber defense, a few months ago was established a new National Cyber Defense Authority that will protect civilian cyberspace.
Finally, passing on to Europe and current challenges in the Middle East, the increased instability afflicting the entire Middle East poses an enormous challenge for our common security. Today the basic values of freedom, democracy and tolerance are being undermined by a jihadist ideology, spreading fear through violence. A resultant worrying phenomenon regards the departure of large numbers of young European men and women to join jihadi factions fighting in Syria and Iraq. A powerful “cyber jihad” launched on social media allows recruiters to reach out to foreigners in an unprecedented way and to turn them into an easy target.
After the Arab Spring, the true reasons for strife in the Middle East as well as the way to potentially move forward were clear to all. The real division in the Middle East is between moderates and radicals. There are no significant differences between the Islamic State, Al Qaeda and Hamas; in their essence they are the same.
Israel is the forward position of European civilization. A bulwark of European values, it is a pluralist, vibrant multi-party democracy in a region plagued by dictatorships, religious extremism and terrorism. Israel can be part of the solution for the victory of the moderate forces in the Middle East in their struggle against the religious radicals throughout our region. But to come to a sustainable peace, Israel needs a Palestinian partner willing to take its security concerns seriously and stand up to Palestinian extremists – as other Arab governments are now doing throughout the region.
Talking about extremism, Europe is also confronting in the recent years with an alarming resurgence of radical nationalism, racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism. The fight against anti-Semitism is not just a Jewish matter, but a global challenge which must be addressed by the international community by promoting understanding, respect and appreciation of diversity and cultural pluralism. In this respect, I would like to mention that I highly appreciate the Romanian government’s constant commitment to condemning anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial, and I take this opportunity to wish Romania success in fulfilling its agenda during the coming chairmanship of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
Dear students, young leaders of tomorrow,
Diplomacy is the weapon of peace, a weapon of intelligence and fair-play involving the development of special skills to maintain the fragile balance of human coexistence in a world which is increasingly exposed to intercultural turmoil and collisions. So even today, not less than in the past, there is no substitute for professional diplomacy.
Last but not least, I would like to commend Mrs. Tova Ben-Nun Cherbis, President of the Lauder Complex, for organizing such a unique tradition. I wish you a wonderful and enlightening conference!
Ambassador Dan Ben-Eliezer