The Foundation and the Mohn family of founders have a long relationship with Israel and have been working for decades to promote a peaceful and secure present and future for the Israeli state and its society. The foundation stands unwaveringly by Israel's side.
Since its founding 46 years ago, the Bertelsmann Stiftung has been committed to German-Israeli relations and to promoting a democratic orientation in our communities. For example, it worked for many years with the Jerusalem-based Adam Institute for Democracy and Peace, adapting the Betzavta program for democracy and tolerance education for Germany, establishing Israel's first professional school of journalism and supporting the development of the Center for European Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
More than two decades ago, the Foundation initiated the German-Israeli Young Leaders Exchange, a dialog and cooperation program for experts and leaders from politics, business, civil society, media, art and culture from both countries. The goal of the program is to provide participants with deep insights into the reality of the other country. To date, more than 400 German and Israeli personalities have participated in the exchange program and remain in contact with each other, especially in the current difficult times.
Finally, the Bertelsmann Stiftung regularly analyzes how Israelis and Germans perceive each other today. This is based on opinion polls in both countries. These analyses are much-cited reference studies on bilateral relations.
Over the decades, the Bertelsmann Stiftung has helped shape the educational, technological and cultural landscape in Israel through a wide range of projects. Its initiatives have not only brought tangible benefits, but have also fostered a spirit of cooperation, understanding and mutual growth between Germany and Israel, laying a solid foundation for open and resilient relations between the two nations. On this issue, the Bertelsmann Stiftung is closely networked and connected with civil society partner organizations such as the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation and the German-Israeli Future Forum, which are committed to democracy and are representative here of the rich landscape of relevant institutions in both countries.
The Foundation will continue to be intensively involved in German-Israeli dialogue and cultural, social, political and economic cooperation between the citizens of the two countries. Israel is an essential partner for Germany and Europe, and Israel's security is the foundation of any peace order in the region.
