Travelling for Security: A Study of Israel’s High-Level Diplomatic Visits

Abstract

This study examines Israel’s foreign policy through an analysis of high-level diplomatic visits conducted by its leaders. Traditionally guided by a security-first approach, Israel’s foreign policy has evolved in the post-Oslo Peace Process era. A growing body of literature suggests a departure from its conventional status-quo stance, towards a foreign policy that increasingly emphasizes economic and diplomatic dimensions. This paper investigates the extent to which high-level visits reflect this shift and explores whether Israel’s post-Oslo foreign policy orientation remains security-driven or has diversified. By analysing empirical data on high-level visits, the study reveals that, despite new diplomatic initiatives and revisionist undertones, Israel’s foreign policy continues to align predominantly with a status-quo, security-oriented framework. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.