Terror, Asymmetric Conflicts and Failing States: European-Israeli Dialogue on National Security and Regional Stability

Rarely have the European Union and Israel shared so many common threats and interests as in this period of failing states, Islamist terrorism and porous borders. With a long experience in battling terrorism, Israel is confronted with an increasingly fragile and unpredictable region, where national borders are vanishing and terror organizations have become significant military players in control of large swaths of territory.

Meanwhile, the European Union can no longer insulate itself from the upheaval in its southern neighbourhood. Thousands of radical Muslims have joined ISIS and pose intractable security challenges upon their return. These foreign fighters have carried out increasingly violent terror attacks in the heart of Europe as police and security services warn of more mass casualty attacks against soft targets. At the same time, the Middle East war zones have created millions of refugees, threatening the stability of neighbouring countries, such as Lebanon and Jordan. In Europe, the unprecedented influx of refugees poses enormous economic, social and integration challenges, thus testing EU solidarity, open borders and security interests.

This conference will not only illustrate the common threats for Israel and the European Union, but will also seek to outline policy options to ensure regional stability and homeland security.

Military and counter-terrorism experts as well as policy makers will discuss the following issues: How can urban security be maintained in the age of home-grown terrorism? How can the European Union benefit from Israeli best practices in counter-terrorism? How can both partners better cooperate to help stabilize the Middle East?

Welcoming Remarks Dr. Stefan Gehrold, Head of European Office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

Daniel Schwammenthal, Director AJC Transatlantic Institute

First Panel: “New and old conflict zones: Strengthening regional stability on European and Israeli borders”

Michael Gahler, Member of the European Parliament

Dr. Anat Hochberg-Marom, Expert on Global Terrorism & Regional Security in the Middle East

Dr. Israel Elad Altman, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Policy and Strategy at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya

Dr. Jamie Shea, Deputy Assistant Secretary General, NATO Headquarters Emerging Security Challenges Division

Moderator: Dr. Michael Borchard, Head of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Office Israel

SecondPanel: “Terrorism from the Centre of Society: Joint strategies against a hidden enemy”

Cristian Dan Preda, Member of the European Parliament

Brigadier General (res.) Nitzan Nuriel, Research Fellow at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya

Yoram Schweitzer, Director of the Terrorism and Low Intensity Warfare Project at Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies

Dr. Peter Spoor, Advisor to EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, European Council

Moderator: George van Bergen, Deputy Director AJC Transatlantic Institute

Final conclusions by David Walzer, Ambassador of Israel to the EU and NATO