A special conference of the Caucus for the Empowerment of Israel`s Foreign Service (led by MK Nachman Shai) and the Mitvim Institute took place at the Knesset on 15 January 2018. The conference was convened in light of a planned cut in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MFA) budget, which is part of a systematic weakening of Israel’s foreign service. The speakers at the conference included MKs, MFA representatives, former diplomats, and relevant experts. The speakers highlighted the need for a strong and efficient foreign service, criticized the damage done to the status of the MFA, and suggested steps that can help strengthen Israel’s diplomacy. This document summarizes the debate at the conference.
The Collapse of the Israeli Foreign Service
January 2018