On June 27, an expert discussion“Israel: Between the Collective West and the Global South” was held in Tel Aviv, organized by the Dor Moriah think tank as part of theHaifa Format project. The session was also attended by representatives of some organizations: Shalom Schwarzbard Foundation, ONEFUTURE – Club for Social Initiatives, Association for Sports Culture, Education, Innovation and Development (ASCEND) and PsyWho business community.
The event presented the results of a series of sociological studies conducted by the center from March 2023 to June 2024, concerning current issues in Israeli society and geopolitics.
Polls have shown a significant split in Israeli society on many key domestic and foreign policy issues. In particular, opinions were divided on judicial reform, on expectations from the US elections in 2024, on the election of Russian President Vladimir Putin, on the vision of Israel’s political future, on the prospects for a Palestinian-Israeli settlement, etc.
Dor Moria experts presented an activity to explore the phenomenon of “ontological bubbles” as a self-sustaining system of simplified and conflicting world pictures formed from interconnected narratives within a shared socio-economic, historical and linguistic context. These pictures of the world form a closed and stable complex of perceptions of reality, which determines the perception and behavior of its carriers. The ontological bubble is a tool of controlled chaos and can be used to destabilize and destroy countries and societies.
In the session, participants identified the lack of a unified “image of the future” in Israeli society and the lack of trust in the political system as the main reason for ontological bubbles in Israel.
Igor Kaminnik, director of Dor Moriah, noted that Israel has lost the political status quo domestically and internationally. Any geopolitical crisis can now threaten Israel’s existence.
That said, the 2023-2024 polls showed that many Israelis support the idea of neutrality and a pragmatic foreign policy, so reforming Israel’s foreign policy seems like a logical step.
As a response to these challenges, Dor Moriah, the Shalom Schwartzbard Foundation, ONEFUTURE, ASCEND and PsyWho propose to develop an “image of Israel’s future” as a regional leader and “bridge” between the Collective West and the Global South. This involves strengthening Israeli statehood through political reforms, active participation in international projects, developing Judeo-Islamic interfaith dialog, and expanding cooperation with the BRICS countries.
This implies the development of Israeli statehood through political reforms, active participation in international projects of the Global South, especially in the east-west and north-south transportation corridors. Development of Judeo-Islamic interfaith dialog and expansion of cooperation with BRICS countries are also important activities.
The event paid special attention to the situation of the Russian-speaking community in Israel. It was noted that while it has a significant demographic weight, it does not yet have sufficient political influence and effective tools to promote its interests.
As part of the development of the Image of the Future, a conference on “Socially Responsible Entrepreneurs for a Shared Future” was held in February 2023 with the participation of leading businessmen and experts from Israel, UAE and India.
A second International Business Club conference is scheduled for October 2024, which will aim to expand Israel’s cooperation with BRICS countries in areas ranging from culture and education to high technology and peacekeeping initiatives.
As part of the panel discussion, Bob Friedman, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Dor Moriah, and Gregory Pelman Director of International Projects at Dor Moriah, recorded a video message to partners in India asking them to support Israel’s entry into BRICS. He said it is India, as one of the leaders of the Global South and an influential member of BRICS, that can play a key role in integrating Israel into the grouping and strengthening its ties with developing countries. Mr. Friedman noted that in the absence of a public consensus on Israel’s “Image of the Future”, BRICS membership will open new opportunities for the country and strengthen its position in the international arena.
Gregory Pelman stated in a video message that to promote this initiative, Dor Moriah, the Shalom Schwartzbard Foundation, ASCEND, ONEFUTURE and PsyWho created a “Coordinating Council for the Promotion of Israel in BRICS” headed by Bob Friedman. The Council will develop a strategy and practical steps for Israel’s accession to the alliance.
The board includes:
Chairman: Bob Friedman – businessman, philanthropist
Board members:
Grigory Pelman – Director for International Projects “Dor Moria”, coordinator of the Club of Social Initiatives (ONEFUTURE);
Igor Kaminnik is a greeter, mediator, Director of Dor Moria;
Michael Finkel is a rabbi, political scientist, public figure, and head of the Shalom Schwartzbard Foundation;
Evgeny Brick – architect, Vice-President of ASCEND
Elia Strizhevskaya is the founder of PsyWho Business Community, a community for Russian-speaking entrepreneurs.
According to experts, membership in BRICS will allow Israel to diversify its foreign economic ties, strengthen international positions and use the potential of emerging markets to stimulate its own growth. A strategic reorientation towards cooperation with the Global South will contribute to the country’s economic stability and prosperity.
“Dor Moriah and the member organizations of the Coordinating Council will continue to work to promote Israel’s entry into BRICS and to develop multi-vector cooperation between the Collective West and the Global South.”
Summarizing the results, the panelists agreed that in order to successfully respond to internal and external challenges, Israel needs social consolidation around a positive “image of the future”, long-term political stability and a new wave of economic growth and innovation.
Background Information:
– The Shalom Schwartzbard Foundation is an organization dedicated to promoting educational and cultural projects.
– ONEFUTURE is a Social Initiatives Club that brings together activists and social entrepreneurs.
– The Association for Sport Culture, Education, Innovation and Development (ASCEND) is an entity working in the field of sport development and innovation.
– PsyWho business community – A business community dedicated to fostering business networking and entrepreneurship.