Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Israel

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

Building Resilience: German-Israeli Dialogue on Security and Society in Berlin & Potsdam 🇩🇪🇮🇱

How can democracies strengthen their security, stability, and societal resilience during prolonged times of crisis?

To explore this question, a delegation from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Israel’s newly established Political Dialogue Forum, named OFEK (Horizon) and dedicated to German-Israeli cooperation, traveled last week to Berlin and Potsdam. Participants from the fields of politics, strategic consulting, and geopolitics engaged in discussions with members of the German Bundestag of the CDU/CSU-Bundestagsfraktion, representatives of the German Federal Ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs, the Bundeswehr’s Operational Command, and political leaders from the State of Brandenburg and the Junge Union Deutschlands.

The program focused on crisis preparedness, civil-military cooperation, models of national and civic service, and the role of democratic institutions in addressing growing security challenges. Further discussions addressed combating antisemitism, strengthening social cohesion, and media coverage of the situation in Israel and the Middle East.

The intensive week of this not always easy dialogue once again demonstrated that societal resilience and social cohesion are essential pillars of national security. The German-Israeli exchange on these issues provides valuable insights and perspectives for both sides.

A sincere thank you to the members of our forum and to all our partners and speakers for the open and forward-looking discussions during these challenging times!

What is Christian life in Israel like today?

In our new country report, “Christian Life in Israel,” we examine the current situation and provide context for the various developments and perspectives shaping it.

Jerusalem is sacred to Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike, while also serving as a central symbol in the Middle East conflict. Different perspectives on history, politics, and religion shape the city and highlight the complexity of achieving lasting peaceful coexistence.

In Israel, Christians can pursue opportunities in all areas of society, and their schools are among the country’s most highly regarded. At the same time, reports of attacks and harassment targeting Christian institutions and communities—in both Israel and East Jerusalem—have increased. These developments have drawn greater attention to the situation of religious minorities and underscore the complexity of realities on the ground.

How can this multifaceted reality be understood? Learn more about the current situation in our new country report ⬇

Christian Life in Israel Between Protection, Uncertainty, and Participation

This year as well, Christians in Israel gathered on Pentecost to celebrate the reception of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Church. Yet Pentecost not only commemorates the birth of the Church, but also symbolizes understanding across borders — an idea that carries special significance in this region. This year, the Pentecost celebrations took place in a particularly special atmosphere. One highlight was the solemn Pentecost Mass at the Dormition Abbey Jerusalem on Mount Zion, celebrated by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

Our colleagues from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Israel were on site and were able to take part in the impressive liturgy amid the diverse Christian presence in the Holy Land.

Last week, we travelled with students from the Simone Veil Research Centre - מרכז סימון וייל ללימודי אירופה בן גוריון across Germany on a special study trip in the days before we marked the 61st anniversary of German-Israeli diplomatic relations 🤝.

From Thuringia in the east to Hessen in the west, students explored German history, politics, and society through meetings with state parliamentarians, the civic education state offices of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Thuringia Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Politisches Bildungsforum Thüringen and Hessen with Tillmann Bauer and Felix Kraft, Jewish community leaders, student organizations, and young political activists.

Highlights included visits to the parliaments of Thuringia Thüringer Landtag with President Thaddäus König, Stefan Gruhner and Andreas Bühl, and meeting with the Junge Union Thüringen Cornelius Golembiewski and Michael Panse. Highlights in Hessen included meetings at the State Parliament Hessischer Landtag with President Astrid Wallmann, Lucas Schmitz, and René Brosius and the Jewish community in Frankfurt with Laura Cazés from the Zentralwohlfahrtsstelle der Juden in Deutschland (ZWST), and with Micky Fuhrmann from the Jüdische Gemeinde Frankfurt.

A meaningful week of dialogue, learning, and strengthening German-Israeli connections for the next generation! 👨‍🎓 👩‍🎓