Abstract

The think tank scene in Israel is evolving. Whilst in the past most institutions were university-based and research-oriented, new think tanks put more emphasis on public policy impact. One field in which this change is evident is foreign policy. This is due to the weakening of Israel’s Foreign Service over the last few years and the controversial foreign policy directions led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This chapter analyzes these trends and highlights how a think tank can promote change in Israel’s foreign policy. The chapter is based on the work of the Mitvim Institute. It focuses on ways to improve foreign policy conduct and content by addressing the lack of grand strategy, seeking paths to empower the Foreign Service, strengthening public and political discourse on foreign policy, providing alternative framing to major events, focusing on issues that the establishment avoids and strengthening ties with regional countries via track-two diplomacy.