ELNET Convenes European, Abraham Accords Partners in Abu Dhabi

Amid growing tensions between Israel and Gulf countries, ELNET's Forum for Strategic Dialogue convened dozens of high-ranking experts and policymakers this week in Abu Dhabi for its fifth Europe-Middle East Forum, "Fostering Security and Innovation through Strategic Partnerships."

What: The two-day forum in Abu Dhabi addressed regional developments, the ongoing war in Gaza, opportunities in Lebanon and Syria, as well as prospects for normalization, economic cooperation, and energy security.

Background: The strategic balance in the Middle East has shifted dramatically since October 7, the resulting Israel-Hamas war, and the subsequent ignition of hostilities by other members of Iran's "ring of fire" — Hezbollah, Houthis, and the Assad Regime. 

Who: The forum convened high-level diplomats, elected officials, legislators, heads of think-tanks, energy sector leaders, and journalists hailing from Austria, Bahrain, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Indonesia, Poland, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UK, and the United States.

Participants included former vice presidents, and parliamentary speakers, a deputy foreign minister and other current officials, ambassadors, members of Parliament, and special envoys

ELNET Attendees included our directors in Brussels, France, Germany, Israel, and Italy; as well as ELNET US President David Siegal, and Zohar Palti, a former Mossad Director who chairs ELNET’s Forum of Strategic Dialogue.

Partner Organizations: The event was co-sponsored by the Emirates Policy Center, the Abraham Accords Institute, the German Federal Minister for Culture and Media, and the MENA2050.