David Siegel: Why a Changing Europe Could Reshape Its Relationship With Israel
JUDJ-Prepared Summary from August 26, 2026 | Israel’s Diplomatic Future: Crisis, Opportunity, and the Role of Europe. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the speaker.
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, David Siegel, president of ELNET US and former Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles, examined the evolving relationship between Israel and Europe. Drawing on his diplomatic experience and ELNET’s work connecting European and Israeli leaders, Siegel argued that despite growing criticism of Israel in parts of Europe, major geopolitical, security and technological changes are creating new opportunities for cooperation.
There Is More Than One Europe
Public debate can sometimes portray Europe as moving uniformly away from Israel. Siegel cautioned against that interpretation.
“There is more than one Europe,” he explained, pointing to significant differences between Western Europe and countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Nations closer to Russia face different security threats, political pressures and strategic priorities. European democracies also change governments, meaning relationships with Israel can shift as political leadership changes.
Germany provides an important example. Siegel noted that Germany has purchased Israel’s Arrow 3 missile defense system, while European officials are increasingly interested in Israeli expertise in counter-drone systems, critical infrastructure protection and other security technologies.
New Opportunities for Cooperation
Siegel described Europe as undergoing a significant transformation driven partly by Russian aggression and uncertainty surrounding the continent’s future security needs.
One of the largest opportunities, he said, involves Europe’s planned investments in science, defense, space and advanced technologies. Siegel discussed a proposed half-trillion-dollar European funding package that could support research and development in areas including artificial intelligence, cyber technology, biotechnology and quantum computing.
ELNET recently brought a German official involved in those negotiations to Israel to meet with universities, ministries and technology and defense organizations. The message to Israelis, according to Siegel, was that Israel cannot simply assume it will remain part of Europe’s future plans.
“Your friends need you to advocate for yourselves,” Siegel recalled the official telling Israeli leaders.
Building Relationships Through Engagement
That type of direct engagement is central to ELNET’s mission. Since October 7, 2023, Siegel said the organization has brought nearly 80 delegations from approximately 30 countries to Israel, involving roughly 800 members of parliament.
Those visits are designed to expose European leaders to different perspectives. Delegations meet Israeli officials across the mainstream political spectrum and frequently meet with Palestinians and Arab Israelis as well.
For Siegel, those personal encounters provide something that social media and political rhetoric cannot: an opportunity to see the region’s complexities firsthand.
As Europe responds to new security threats and invests heavily in its technological future, Siegel sees a consequential moment ahead. The challenge for Israel is to remain engaged and demonstrate how cooperation can serve both Israeli and European interests.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.