International Conference on Counterterrorism

On October 7, 2024, one year after the devastating Hamas terror attack, the International Conference on Counterterrorism took place in Herzliya. Organized also in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Israel and the Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) at Reichman University, the event served as a pivotal platform for advancing German-Israeli cooperation in the fight against global terrorism. The timing of the conference, marking the tragic anniversary of the Hamas attack, added a profound sense of urgency to the discussions. Experts, policymakers, and security professionals from Germany, Israel, and beyond convened to share insights, strategies, and innovative solutions to counter the continuing threats posed by terror organizations. In his keynote Thomas Haldenwang, President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the German Constitution, stated the efforts Germany is undergoing in fighting antisemitism in Germany and dealing with threats of global terrorism. The relationship between Germany and Israel, built on mutual trust and shared security interests, was a central theme throughout the event. "Both nations have long been on the frontlines of the fight against terror—Israel facing regional threats like Hamas and Hezbollah, while Germany grapples with domestic extremism and global terror networks", underlined Michael Rimmel, Director of the KAS office in Israel, during a panel on the Geopolitical and Global Terrorism Impacts of October 7th. Also Ambassador Dimiter Tzantchev, EU Ambassador to Israel, emphasized the importance of the EU speaking in one voice regarding its support of Israel and clearly condemning the brutal terrorist attacks against it. “The EU needs to take a more active role in addressing the crisis in the region. It must be clear that these attacks are not only against Israel but against the global democratic and liberal order”. Dr. Meir Javedanfar, an expert on Iran, further emphasized the common challenges of Israel and the western liberal democracies, outlining the short-term and long-term strategies and objectives of the Iranian regime to destroy both. Prof. Assaf Moghadam, former Dean of the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy at the Reichmann University, highlighted the values that Israel and Germany share, which stem from history but have long become a strong and unique relationship based on open dialogue and democratic values. He assessed the waves of Antisemitism that erupted in Germany shortly after the events of October 7, and quickly overshadowed the fact that Israel was the one being attacked. He argued that there is a direct connection between expressions of Antisemitism in the public sphere and the strengthening of radical Islam and terrorism in Europe since it fuels and encourages extremists to take action. The conference emphasized how these experiences allow for deeper collaboration between Europe, Germany and Israel, whether through intelligence sharing, joint counterterrorism operations, or technological innovation. One year after the Hamas attack, the conference also served as a reminder of the human cost of terrorism. It reaffirmed the commitment of Germany, Israel, and their allies to remain steadfast in their efforts to prevent future attacks and to build a safer world for all. Through initiatives like this, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung continues to support and strengthen the German-Israeli relationship, ensuring that the fight against terror remains at the forefront of international cooperation.