About six months ago, Professor Manuel Trachtenberg was appointed head of the Institute for National Security Studies, as an expression of the Institute’s intention to expand the scope regarding the significance of national security for the State of Israel. The institute is now announcing the recruitment of a number of senior executives who will join as board members and research fellows. The new board members to join are former Minister Tzipi Livni and former Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch. Among the new research colleagues is also Meir Ben-Shabbat, who served until recently as head of the National Security Council.
Prof. Manuel Trachtenberg, Head of the Institute for National Security Studies, INSS, said: “The Institute for National Security Studies is proud and happy to expand its line of researchers with highly senior personalities, who bring with them vast knowledge, expertise and experience in critical areas of Israel’s national security. In addition, the joining of Tzipi Livni and Dorit Beinisch to the institute’s board of directors will greatly contribute to the improvement of the institute, and is a milestone in strengthening the institute’s status as a key factor in both public discourse on national security and decision-makers. “
New board memberships
Tzipi Livni She has served in a number of key positions in Israeli governments: Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Justice and Minister of Absorption, and has been the Head of the Peace Negotiation Team with the Palestinians. She also served as a Member of Knesset and as leader of the opposition in a number of Knessets. As Foreign Minister during the Second Lebanon War, Livni succeeded in bringing about Security Council Resolution 1701, which established arrangements that would allow the war to end. She was elected in 2007 by Time Magazine as one of the twenty most influential leaders in the world.
Dorit Beinisch Served as President of the Supreme Court from 2006 to 2012, and has since served as Governor of the Open University. Beinisch served as State Attorney from 1989–1995, then as a Supreme Court justice. Beinisch was awarded honorary doctorates by the Hebrew University, the Weizmann Institute, Ben-Gurion University and Hebrew Union College, and also holds the title of Officer of the French Legion of Honor, and the “Dear Jerusalem” decoration.
Research Fellows
Meir Ben Shabbat Served as the National Security Adviser of the Government of Israel and as the Head of the National Security Headquarters from 2021-2017. In this role, Ben Shabbat was involved in the formation of the “Abraham Agreements” with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan, and headed the official Israeli delegations to these countries. During his tenure, Ben-Shabbat coordinated government activities to combat the corona plague and the work of the Security Cabinet, and managed sensitive political ties with the United States, Russia, India, Europe and Arab countries. Prior to that, Ben-Shabbat served in senior positions in the General Security Service Cyber, the head of the National Division for counter-terrorism and espionage, and for research and policy, as well as the head of the southern region, Ben-Shabbat led the counter-insurgency efforts against Hamas and, among other things, led the GSS ‘operations in Operation Cast Lead.
Mark Regev is an expert and has extensive practical experience in foreign relations and international communications. In his most recent role, Regev served as a senior adviser to the prime minister on foreign relations and international communications. Prior to that, he served as Israel’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom (2020-2016). Prior to his departure for London, between the years 2016-2007, he served as Adviser to the Prime Minister and Spokesman for International Media. During this period he became one of the most prominent voices of the State of Israel in the English-speaking world. Over the years, Regev has served in a variety of diplomatic positions at the Foreign Ministry. Among other things, as a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, a consultant in Washington, first secretary in Beijing and as deputy consul in Hong Kong. Regev holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from the University of Melbourne, a master’s degree in political science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a master’s degree in business administration from Boston University. At the institute, Regev will serve as a senior guest fellow.
Dr. Hagai Etkes served as a senior researcher in the Research Division of the Bank of Israel from 2009-2021, and among other things served as Israel’s representative at the International Monetary Fund in Washington in the years 2017-20. Etkes holds an MA in Economics from the London School of Economics. From the Hebrew University, and a postdoctoral fellow from Stanford University. Etkes’ research focuses on the economic ties between Israel and the Middle East and in particular the Palestinian Authority, and he is considered one of the country’s leading experts on the Palestinian economy.
Professor Esteban Clore, Is a professor of economics at the Hebrew University, where he served, among other things, as head of the Department of Economics, and head of the Sapir Forum for Economic Policy. Clore specializes in political economy and public funding, with much of his research dealing with terrorism and political violence and their economic consequences. In particular, he has extensively investigated the consequences of Palestinian terrorism, and the degree of deterrence of Israeli actions against him, and in addition to his academic activities, he frequently appears in the world press on these issues. Clore holds an MA degree. From the Hebrew University, and a doctorate from New York University. At the institute, Clore will serve as a senior researcher.