Israel Convenes Emergency Conference to Overhaul International Advocacy
Business leaders, influencers, and activists gathered in Tel Aviv for an emergency conference on improving Israel's international public diplomacy and fostering civil-government cooperation.
An emergency conference titled "Hineni: From Defense to Proactive Public Diplomacy" was held in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, bringing together business figures, media personalities, and digital influencers to discuss strategies for improving Israel's international public diplomacy. The event, hosted at the Israel Council for Beautiful Israel center, was initiated by reserve Lieutenant Colonel Roi Danino, Ariel Averbuch, and Chagai Gutman, creators of the film "NZO: The True Story."
The conference featured a panel discussion moderated by media personality Lital Shemesh, with participants including businessman Eyal Waldman, government officials, media figure Oded Menashe, and digital influencer Ashley Waxman Bakshi. Discussions focused on bridging independent civil initiatives with government efforts, reaching international audiences, and sustaining long-term advocacy campaigns.
Eyal Waldman addressed the ethical conduct of the military during the conflict. "I think the army is the most ethical army in the world," Waldman stated, noting that Israel often compromises tactical surprise to protect civilians and minimize casualties. He also emphasized the importance of leveraging Israel's technological strengths and acting strategically in global communications.
Addressing the division of responsibilities, officials noted that effective public diplomacy requires close cooperation between state authorities and civil society. Participants debated the challenges of funding, resource allocation, and maintaining continuous advocacy efforts without adequate institutional support, highlighting the vital role played by independent creators and digital influencers in shaping global public opinion.
