Dor-Moriah

The Indian Vector

A resonant video address by Israeli experts to Indian partners caught the attention of over a million Indian citizens. The message, calling for support of Israel’s accession to BRICS, was published in more than 30 Indian media outlets, indicating a growing interest in Israel’s potential rapprochement with the Global South.

This address resulted from a significant event held on June 27, 2024, in Tel Aviv—a discussion titled “Israel: Between the Collective West and the Global South.” The event was organized by the “Dor Moria” Analytical Center as part of the “Haifa Format” project. Representatives from several influential organizations participated, including the Shalom Schwarzbard Foundation, ONEFUTURE – Club of Social Initiatives, the Association for Sports Culture, Education, Innovation and Development (ASCEND), and the PsyWho business community.

A key outcome of the meeting was the formation of the “Coordination Council for Israel’s Cooperation with BRICS Countries.” Bob Friedman, chairman of the supervisory board of “Dor Moria,” and Gregory Pelman, director of international projects at the center, recorded the aforementioned video address, which subsequently received wide resonance in India, emphasizing the significance of the issues discussed in the context of global geopolitical changes.

First Bureaucracy

Less than a month later, on July 25, 2024, the first meeting of the Coordination Council was held in Tel Aviv, where the following issues were discussed:

1. Results of sociological studies “Israel between the Collective West and the Global South: Israelis’ opinion on Israel’s place in this geopolitical confrontation.”

2. Regulations for the Coordination Council’s activities.

3. Council’s activity strategy considering the results of the sociological study.

The meeting was attended by political scientists, journalists, businessmen, heads of non-governmental organizations, representatives of the executive branch, and rabbis.

An important issue discussed at the meeting was the strengthening of interfaith dialogue between Judaism and traditional Islam, which is an important step in combating radical groups and organizations in the Middle East.

Israelis’ Opinions: Between the Collective West and the Global South

All assumptions guided by “Dor Moria” experts in developing approaches to Israel’s entry into the economic structures of the Global South, such as BRICS, were confirmed by the results of a sociological survey. The survey was conducted by the Geocartography Sociological Center based on a questionnaire developed by “Dor Moria” experts in July 2024.

The majority of Israelis are convinced of the existence of a conflict between the Collective West and the Global South; nearly 70% of respondents agree with this statement to a full or large extent.

Regarding the nature of this conflict, opinions are divided into two prominently represented camps. Those who see it as a conflict defining modern geopolitics make up 41%. However, an even more significant portion (59%) believes this conflict is primarily economic competition within the global economy between the countries of the Golden Billion and developing countries.

The answer to the next question confirmed the expediency of the Coordination Council’s appeal to Indian partners and citizens.

According to our calculated indices of different countries’ interest in Israel’s accession to BRICS, only India expresses such interest. It is the only one with a positive and quite high value of such interest (25 pp), while all other countries have negative values of interest.

The majority of respondents (35.8%), both men (36.2%) and women (35.4%), consider it preferable for Israel to maintain neutrality and build constructive relations with both the Collective West and the Global South. The second most popular option is “Decisions should be made depending on specific situations and areas in which Israel maintains neutrality or chooses a side” (22%). Rational neutrality was chosen by 58% of respondents.

Only 19% of respondents chose “to be on the side of the Collective West.”

Israelis tend to see Israel as a country that does not take one side or another but rather as neutral, building constructive relations with other countries. This means that despite the prevailing orientation towards the West today, they are not against mutually beneficial cooperation and good relations with the South.

But with whom exactly to build relationships? What is the Global South? The most obvious institutional expression of the Global South is the BRICS organization. At the same time, only 6% of Israelis are well aware of this organization, and another 10% have heard something about it. The absolute majority of respondents (55%) have not even heard of such a name, which, apparently, is an important component of the low level of responses regarding Israel as part of the Global South.

Public opinion of Israelis is characterized by the perception of a very high level of Israel’s dependence on the United States in most key areas. Moreover, three areas (military security, economy, and foreign policy) are characterized by a very high degree of dependence, with index values above 50 pp in the range of measuring the index from 100 (maximum dependence) to -100 (maximum independence).

Israelis tend to believe that Israel’s accession to the BRICS union will somehow affect relations with other countries and unions. Meanwhile, forecasts differ significantly, which suggests a weak formation in the public consciousness of Israelis of ideas about the possibility of Israel joining this union. This is also evidenced by more than a third of respondents who found it difficult to answer this question. Regarding the United States, 29% of respondents claim that Israel’s accession to BRICS will positively affect their relations with Israel; the same number claim that it will be negative, and a slightly larger share of answers falls on the “don’t know” option.

In general, in the event of Israel’s accession to the BRICS union, Israelis expect positive changes in all areas of the country’s life. To the greatest extent, they associate positive expectations with economic stability and improved foreign policy.

Economic Benefits from the Global South

The most important issue that aroused interest among participants was the inclusion of Israeli commercial structures and business organizations in the formation of the “innovation ecosystem” of the Global South and financing startups developed by Russian-speaking Israelis within the framework of cooperation with the Global South.

Israel has a highly developed innovation ecosystem, while the Global South is only forming its “innovation ecosystem” and needs technological and economic development.

The Israeli innovation ecosystem is distinguished by a high concentration of startups and R&D centers, a developed venture financing system, and strong government support for innovation. There is also high experience in critical areas: agrotechnology, water technologies, and cybersecurity.

Potential areas of cooperation were discussed, such as the creation of joint incubators and accelerators, technology transfer, and educational programs and exchanges.

Israel and Prospects

In conclusion, it should be emphasized that for Israel, integration into the economic systems of the Global South is becoming not just desirable but a vitally necessary strategy.

In the context of the declining demographic and economic potential of the Collective West, Israel cannot afford to remain merely its outpost in the heart of the Global South. The survey results clearly show that the vast majority of Israelis support a policy of neutrality in the confrontation between West and South, which opens up opportunities for a more flexible foreign policy.

Israel’s cooperation with BRICS countries and active participation in shaping the innovation ecosystem of the Global South will not only open new markets and opportunities for Israeli technologies but also strengthen the country’s geopolitical position, ensuring long-term stability and prosperity in a rapidly changing world order.