Publications 2003

The 4th Herzliya Conference 2003
When PA leader Yasser Arafat eventually leaves the stage, a new chapter will be opened in Palestinian political history will entail new realities and bring to the fore new forces and fresh dynamics. First and foremost, Arafat's departure will signal a changing of the guards from the "old guard" Diaspora leadership of the PLO to the "young guard" leadership from the West Bank and Gaza. However, how effective will this new generation of leaders be? The present trend towards internal fragmentation of the Palestinian Authority, exacerbated by Israeli security measures may devoid any future political leadership of true control on the ground – control which will devolve to a multitude of local warlords – each in his own territory. Under such circumstances, Israel will lack a clear Palestinian interlocutor both for deterrence and for political negotiations, and will have to invest more assets vis-à-vis a plethora of local elements. At the end of the day, however, building a viable Palestinian leadership, which will both desire Peace and stability and be capable of working towards these goals, calls for economic reforms within the PA, toppling the monopolies and injecting into the system new local economic forces. In such an endeavor, Israel may find allies in the Western world and among Israel's moderate Arab neighbors.

This paper presents eight possible ways of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. It is organized by presenting each outcome followed by the benefits and dangers. In some cases the methods are not totally mutually exclusive, but they do present different ways of dealing with the issue. The possible ways are as follows: the road map; incrementalism; Gaza first; Unilateral disengagement; permanent status now; trusteeship; imposed peace; status quo. The conclusion contains presentation of the preferred solutions of some of the various actors in the conflict.

The 4th Herzliya Conference 2003

Due to the growing significance of Asia in the global economy, Israel should try to develop closer ties to the region, to balance the already close ties with the US as well as with Europe. Taiwan and Israel established representative offices in Tel Aviv and Taipei some 10 years ago, and should try to strengthen the relation between them in several perspectives: economic and technological, political, social, diplomatic, and security.

The 4th Herzliya Conference 2003

A summary of a conference held, dealing with the present and future relationship between Israel and the European Union. The conference addressed the relations of the European Union and Israel from commonalities to partnership building through discussing four main themes: Europe and Israel’s common heritage as building blocks of the relationship; Role of instrumentalities: Furthering economic and technological cooperation. Israeli companies enjoy a high degree of competitiveness in the global market, which Europe can use in dealing with global competition. On the other hand, Europe serves as a major market to Israeli companies; Political and diplomatic hindrances and interests, including involvement, though on a low scale, of Europe in the peace process, and cooperation in dealing with common security interests, especially after September 11; Future of EU-Israel relations. Two optional directions to the future of the relationship are regarded unsatisfactory – leaving things as are on the one hand, and accepting Israel as a full member in the European Union on the one. The preferred path is increasing the level of discussion and cooperation, as well as considering including Israel in the European monetary union.A summary of a conference held, dealing with the present and future relationship between Israel and the European Union. The conference addressed the relations of the European Union and Israel from commonalities to partnership building through discussing four main themes: Europe and Israel’s common heritage as building blocks of the relationship; Role of instrumentalities: Furthering economic and technological cooperation. Israeli companies enjoy a high degree of competitiveness in the global market, which Europe can use in dealing with global competition. On the other hand, Europe serves as a major market to Israeli companies; Political and diplomatic hindrances and interests, including involvement, though on a low scale, of Europe in the peace process, and cooperation in dealing with common security interests, especially after September 11; Future of EU-Israel relations. Two optional directions to the future of the relationship are regarded unsatisfactory – leaving things as are on the one hand, and accepting Israel as a full member in the European Union on the one. The preferred path is increasing the level of discussion and cooperation, as well as considering including Israel in the European monetary union.

The 4th Herzliya Conference 2003

Financial market development fosters growth by improving utilization of capital. The report illustrates this claim empirically for a group of countries. Governments can help development of financial markets by: Protecting investor rights, which leads to more investments and thus to prosperity; Facilitating competition and by this raising the productivity; Enforcing disclosure, i.e. improving the transparency of financial reports.

The 4th Herzliya Conference 2003

The report sketches the present situation of the global oil market, with special references to the US and Saudi Arabia, and proposes some possible change scenarios. It presents US interests versus Saudi's and the different global-oil-market dynamics each of them would like to see, while discussing each parts costs and benefits from either changing the present situation or leaving it as is. The report particularly discusses the possibility of changing the policy of oil-production quotas, with all the affects this move will have on OPEC and the non-OPEC suppliers. It ends with a presentation of the new powers in the global oil market – Russia and China, and presents their interests and possible influence.

The 4th Herzliya Conference 2003

The paper discusses the many aspects of multi-ethnicity which has become predominant nowadays: the state's end vision, i.e. assimilation/homogenization, separatism or pluralism; coexistence which requires a need to balance equality, diversity and interdependence/cooperation; areas under consideration internationally: governance and participatory practices, constitutions, equality issues, law and order, education, housing, language and media. The paper also present questions designed to help auditing structures and processes. In addition, it presents some examples of government institutions promoting coexistence while discussing in more details the case of Australia as an example of a transition from exclusion to multiculturalism.

The 4th Herzliya Conference 2003

The research examines possibilities to diversifying Israel's strategic relations, which were so far characterized by US exclusivity. Four countries that can serve as potential candidates to expanding Israel's relation, in addition and not instead of the U.S., were examined: Russia, India, Taiwan and Turkey. Each case was tested according to a few criteria: stability of common political, economical, military and cultural interests, the bases to a strategic relation, moral criteria, the "life expectancy" of the regimes in these countries, implications on Israel's other foreign relations, most importantly – with the US, and economic compatibility. The analysis indicates some potential room to diversify Israel's strategic relations, when the highest potential lies in the relation with turkey, whereas India is also a possible candidate. On the other hand, the relation with Russia is problematic on Israel's side while the relation with Taiwan might introduce opposition from china.

The 4th Herzliya Conference 2003

The paper surveys the United Nations' policy towards Israel since the Second World War and shows how an anti-Israeli approach consolidated and gained strength along the years. This approach has been exemplified in a series of pro-Palestinian decisions, condemning Israeli policy, accepted by the general assembly, whereas no anti-Semitism condemnation was released. This approach positions the UN as the Palestinians' defender, while completely ignoring Israel's security concerns. The United States, which over the years regarded the UN assembly as a powerless body, should realize that it can no longer play a double game – ignoring the assembly on the one hand, and playing a central role in the Security Council, on the other.

The 4th Herzliya Conference Paper

The 4th Herzliya Conference 2003

The paper stretches the importance of today's Jewish students as the future leadership of the Jewish community. It discusses the importance of applying cultural and educational programs at the university age and before, in preparing the youth to this crucial formative stage in their lives, and in involving them in the Jewish communal life. These actions are most important at the present age of growing anti-Israeli atmosphere on campuses, which sometimes infiltrates into classrooms, in the guise of academic objectivity. One must realize that today's youth is tomorrow's leadership, and discuss some crucial question surrounding its nature, the challenges it faces and the character of its relation with the Jewish people.

The Fourth Herzliya Conference on the Balance of Israel's National Security was held during the week before Hanukkah, 2003. The conference deliberations were a reflection of Israel's national agenda, and dealt with a variety of defense, security, political, economic, and social issues. This document contains the main conclusions and recommendations that arose during the conference proceedings. The ideas within are presented according to the main themes of the conference, with no distinction made between the origins of the materials: findings of task force reports, lectures by Israeli or foreign experts, or speeches by political leaders.