Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Israel

02/06/2026

What is Christian life in Israel like today?

In our new country report, “Christian Life in Israel,” we examine the current situation and provide context for the various developments and perspectives shaping it.

Jerusalem is sacred to Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike, while also serving as a central symbol in the Middle East conflict. Different perspectives on history, politics, and religion shape the city and highlight the complexity of achieving lasting peaceful coexistence.

In Israel, Christians can pursue opportunities in all areas of society, and their schools are among the country’s most highly regarded. At the same time, reports of attacks and harassment targeting Christian institutions and communities—in both Israel and East Jerusalem—have increased. These developments have drawn greater attention to the situation of religious minorities and underscore the complexity of realities on the ground.

How can this multifaceted reality be understood? Learn more about the current situation in our new country report ⬇

Between Protection, Uncertainty, and Participation

27/05/2026

24/05/2026

This year as well, Christians in Israel gathered on Pentecost to celebrate the reception of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Church. Yet Pentecost not only commemorates the birth of the Church, but also symbolizes understanding across borders — an idea that carries special significance in this region. This year, the Pentecost celebrations took place in a particularly special atmosphere. One highlight was the solemn Pentecost Mass at the Dormition Abbey Jerusalem on Mount Zion, celebrated by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

Our colleagues from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Israel were on site and were able to take part in the impressive liturgy amid the diverse Christian presence in the Holy Land.

17/05/2026

15/05/2026

Last week, we travelled with students from the Simone Veil Research Centre - מרכז סימון וייל ללימודי אירופה בן גוריון across Germany on a special study trip in the days before we marked the 61st anniversary of German-Israeli diplomatic relations 🤝.

From Thuringia in the east to Hessen in the west, students explored German history, politics, and society through meetings with state parliamentarians, the civic education state offices of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Thuringia Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Politisches Bildungsforum Thüringen and Hessen with Tillmann Bauer and Felix Kraft, Jewish community leaders, student organizations, and young political activists.

Highlights included visits to the parliaments of Thuringia Thüringer Landtag with President Thaddäus König, Stefan Gruhner and Andreas Bühl, and meeting with the Junge Union Thüringen Cornelius Golembiewski and Michael Panse. Highlights in Hessen included meetings at the State Parliament Hessischer Landtag with President Astrid Wallmann, Lucas Schmitz, and René Brosius and the Jewish community in Frankfurt with Laura Cazés from the Zentralwohlfahrtsstelle der Juden in Deutschland (ZWST), and with Micky Fuhrmann from the Jüdische Gemeinde Frankfurt.

A meaningful week of dialogue, learning, and strengthening German-Israeli connections for the next generation! 👨‍🎓 👩‍🎓

14/05/2026

This week, at the annual Tel Aviv Summit held at Tel Aviv University, we were pleased to present the findings of our latest survey among Arab citizens of Israel.
This year’s summit focused on the future of Israel and addressed the geopolitical changes in the Middle East, the ongoing security challenges of Israel, alongside with the core issues of the Israeli democracy prior to the upcoming elections.
Under the title “Integration and Influence – The Vision of Arab Citizens in Israel”, Dr. Arik Rudnitzky of the Konrad Adenauer Program for Jewish-Arab Cooperation at Tel Aviv University presented several of the survey’s key findings, which led to a further discussion at the summit on this important component of the Israeli society.
Thank you to our partners at Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies for the longstanding cooperation on this matter.
For the complete survey and findings follow this link ⬇️

New Survey of the Konrad-Adenauer-Program at the Tel Aviv University.

12/05/2026

Last week, we had the opportunity to bring together 30 young leaders from across the region in Berlin as part of the Abraham Executive Academy (AEA) to discuss the future of the Middle East together. In times of war and uncertainty, this is certainly not an easy task and requires courage — from the organizers just as much as from the participants themselves.

Over five packed days, we were able not only to discuss the challenges facing the region, but also the opportunities that connect people—from innovation, business, and leadership to shared values. Through many conversations and encounters at the Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, the German Bundestag, and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Berlin, space was created for discussions about a better future for the people of the region.

It was inspiring to see the conversations and connections that emerged during the days in Berlin, as well as the projects and ideas that will grow from them. This summit was only a first step—more meetings and continued exchange will follow.

None of this would have been possible without the vision and commitment of Noam Meirov and also not without our outstanding partners from New York University, Startup Nation Central, the Abraham Accords Institute Germany, as well as many other supporters.

22/04/2026

13/04/2026

Yom HaShoah, Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, begins this evening under unusual and fragile circumstances. While a temporary ceasefire is in place after the war with Iran, large public events have been cancelled amid ongoing security concerns.

The central ceremony at Yad Vashem: World Holocaust Center, Jerusalem will be broadcast without a live audience. Yet remembrance continues across the country, in homes and small gatherings, many organized by זיכרון בסלון - Zikaron BaSalon.

Even in uncertain times, the memory of the Holocaust endures. It remains both a tribute to those who were lost and a call to confront antisemitism — wherever it appears — and to ensure that such hatred never rises again.