The president of the Centre for Public Policy and Economic Analysis, Igor Šlosar, and board member Daniel Hinšt, participated in the conference on Central European support for Israel – “A Pivotal Year: Israel, the Middle East, the US, and Europe Come 2026”. The Conference was organized on January 20 and 21, 2026, in Budapest by the Hungarian Danube Institute, Israel’s Defense & Security Forum, and the David Institute for Security Policy.
Igor Šlosar took part in the panel discussion titled “Central Europe’s Unique Role as Israel’s Natural Allies and Their Potential Leadership in the European Union.”
During the discussion, the CEA President was invited to reflect on the historical roots and future trajectory of Croatia’s position toward Israel. He emphasized that Croatia, together with other Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, shares a common historical experience shaped by prolonged struggles for freedom, sovereignty, and national identity.
“Our nations understand what it means to live under constant pressure from hostile neighbors who challenge territorial integrity, cultural identity, and political independence,” he noted. The region, he explained, has endured successive totalitarian regimes — all of which sought to suppress democratic aspirations, dismantle civil society, and impose autocratic rule. These shared experiences, he argued, have helped forge resilient societies with a strong commitment to liberty and self-determination.
He further highlighted that Israel’s advanced military capabilities, technological expertise, and intelligence experience can play a meaningful role in strengthening the European Union’s defense posture. In this context, he outlined several areas for potential cooperation, including intelligence sharing, joint development of intelligence capabilities, and the establishment of defense clusters that encourage collaboration between academia, the private sector, and the military. Such initiatives, he said, should be guided by a shared security agenda for Europe’s long-term security.
Despite historical parallels, the discussion also underscored a key lesson drawn from the experience of Croatia and other CEE nations: no democratic society can endure while tolerating terrorism against minorities. Moral clarity on this issue, it was emphasized, remains essential for safeguarding democratic institutions and social cohesion.
Addressing the future direction of the European Union, the Šlosar argued that Central and Eastern European countries are well-positioned to contribute to a new strategic and ideological axis within the EU, including joint positions on Israel within the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. Drawing on shared historical experiences and deeply rooted values, CEE nations have demonstrated resilience in the face of harmful ideologies. Šlosar called for a renewed commitment to rebuilding core European values that have eroded in recent decades, suggesting that the CEE bloc could play a constructive role in preserving the principles that once underpinned Europe’s prosperity and stability.
Šlosar also emphasized that antisemitism should be recognized as a national security concern. A broader understanding of antisemitism was advocated — one that extends beyond overt hostility toward Jews or the State of Israel to include extremist narratives and forms of rhetoric that contribute to social polarization and undermine Europe’s cultural foundations and societal stability.
Furthermore, the discussion addressed the security risks posed by Hamas. Reference was made to the organization’s 1988 charter and its affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood, which was described as a well-funded, organized movement with a political ideology viewed as incompatible with European values, institutions, and civic traditions.
While noting that the United States has designated several branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations, concerns were raised about the European Union’s reluctance to take similar steps to a wider degree. Šlosar warned that inaction could allow such movements to expand their influence, citing their presence in major European cities and reported attempts to engage with legislative processes, particularly in the area of religious freedoms.
Finally, Šlosar emphasized that Israel remains Europe’s most important and only true ally in the Middle East. Distancing the European Union from Israel would be both short-sighted and counterproductive. Strengthening cooperation with Israel would enhance Europe’s defense and intelligence capabilities, improve security for European citizens, and help establish a stronger European role in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing global environment.
Further partnership
The conference on Central European support for Israel was another opportunity to strengthen CEA’s partnership with the Danube Institute. In 2025, Daniel Hinšt participated in the Danube Institute’s panel The EU We Have vs the EU We Need.
In addition, given the project Detektor, CEA strives to deepen its partnership with the State of Israel as a key Western ally.
