German-Israeli connections over six decades - ELNET's 2025 yearly report
The 2025 Annual Reception of the European Leadership Network (ELNET) took place on May 22 at the North Rhine-Westphalia State Representation, marking a significant gathering to discuss the future of German-Israeli relations. Over 250 guests, including more than 50 Members of the German Parliament and ambassadors from over 10 nations, attended the event that celebrated the 60th anniversary of these bilateral ties.
The discussion, moderated by Carsten Ovens, CEO of ELNET, focused on education, technology, and exchange formats as the basis for understanding and fostering dialogue about how to enhance and expand these areas to strengthen the relationship between Germany and Israel.
Key points in the discussion included the promotion of education and youth exchange initiatives to build lasting relationships and mutual understanding between the two countries. The participants also explored technology partnerships and innovation-driven projects, leveraging both German and Israeli strengths to address shared global challenges. Additionally, they discussed the development of new exchange formats that go beyond traditional diplomacy, aiming to engage a broader network of stakeholders including civil society, academia, and the private sector.
Nathanael Liminski, Minister for Federal and European Affairs, International Relations, and Media, as well as Head of the State Chancellery, emphasized the importance of educational programs, technological collaboration, and innovative exchange formats in deepening cooperation between Germany and Israel. Hildegard Bentele MEP announced that Germany would continue to advocate for Israel at the EU level.
Gen. Maj. (ret.) Yehuda Fox and former Director of the German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development, Eric Zimmerman, also participated in the discussion. Israel's Ambassador H.E. Ron Prosor stressed that only when all hostages are free can a ceasefire be discussed, while emphasizing the need for the end of Hamas infrastructure for peace to be achieved.
The occasion served as a platform to strategize on concrete measures that could enhance these collaborations, reflecting a commitment to a multifaceted and future-oriented German-Israeli partnership. Although specifics from the 2025 Annual Reception on these topics were not available in the provided search results, such themes align with ELNET's known mission to strengthen German-Israeli relations through education, innovation, and dialogue formats, which are typically highlighted at their annual events.
Politics and general news might prominently feature discussions on concrete measures to enhance education, technology, and exchange formats as strategies for strengthening German-Israeli partnerships. These topics were prominently discussed during the 2025 Annual Reception of the European Leadership Network (ELNET), where participants also explored technology partnerships and youth exchange initiatives.
