Arab-Israeli Relations

Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

For Hezbollah, a Maritime Border Deal Is a Way to Avoid War

Hezbollah leaders are not ready to act on their many threats of major escalation, so Washington and its allies should prevent the group from reaping the nascent agreement’s reputational and financial benefits.

Sep 23, 2022

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Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

Israeli Elections, Round Five: A Game of Inches

The first in a series of Washington Institute articles about the upcoming vote discusses how the rival coalitions are shaping up, why extremists are gaining ground on the right, and which policy issues are most likely to steer the national debate.

Sep 21, 2022

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Regional Security Cooperation Partnerships in the Middle East

The Abraham Accords have substantially increased the region’s options for countering Iranian threats, but the past performance of Arab coalitions should make policymakers cautious about expecting too much from new alliances.

Sep 21, 2022

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David Schenker

MEES map showing Israeli and Lebanese maritime border claims in the East Mediterranean.

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Israel’s Karish Gas Field: Diplomatic Opportunity or Casus Belli?

Seven experts examine how the fraught decision to start production might affect Beirut’s negotiating stance, Hezbollah’s military calculus, U.S.-Israel relations, and other factors.

Sep 20, 2022

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Simon Henderson
Hanin Ghaddar
Matthew Levitt
Ehud Yaari
David Makovsky
David Schenker
Andrew J. Tabler

Fikra Forum

Pragmatic Re-Balancing: the Saudi Dual Outreach to Israel and Iran

While the Middle East remains littered with flashpoints, Saudi Arabia is reaching out to Israel and Iran in an attempt to defuse simmering tensions and build consensus, with the Kingdom shifting from a confrontational to fence-mending approach.

Sep 20, 2022

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Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco

Fair-Observer-Arab-NATO-Middle-East-politics-Iran-news-GCC-news

Fikra Forum

The Middle East NATO: From Fiction to Fact

In light of increased regional tensions, the idea of a Middle East NATO is becoming more and more realistic, this time with the possibility of Israeli-Arab cooperation.

Sep 14, 2022

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Mohamed Chtatou

Fikra Forum

In New Poll, Most Egyptians Split on Relations with Foreign Powers, Pessimistic About Domestic Economy

Egyptians expressed skepticism about the economy, reliance on the United States, and the Abraham Accords with Israel.

Sep 9, 2022

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Mohamed Abdelaziz

Fikra Forum

Bahrain Opinion Poll Confirms Sectarian Split on Iran, but not on U.S. or Israel

The Bahraini public provided their perspectives on ties with international partners, moderate Islam, and the country’s economic situation.

Sep 9, 2022

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David Pollock

Brief Analysis

Responding to the PA’s Mounting Fiscal Crisis

Years of declining international aid, unsustainable public patronage, and controversial policies have pushed the Palestinian government and banking sector to the brink of insolvency.

Sep 1, 2022

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Jonah Shrock
Gabriel Epstein
David Makovsky

Fikra Forum

July/August 2022 UAE Survey Shows U.S. Leads Iran, but Lags Russia and China

Emiratis share their views on global players, regional dynamics, and economic conditions.

Aug 30, 2022

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David Pollock

Fikra Forum

New Saudi Poll Shows Biden's Visit Barely Budged Skepticism

The Saudi public gave mixed reviews on issues such as normalization and ties with the United States, but remained mostly united regarding Russia’s actions in Ukraine and relations with Iran.

Aug 26, 2022

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David Pollock

Iron Dome rockets intercepting Hamas missiles over Tel Aviv

Articles & Testimony

Israel and Gaza Keep Up Their Precarious Dance

What the latest round of fighting against PIJ—and not, conspicuously, Hamas—means, and why it will probably happen again.

Aug 9, 2022

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Neri Zilber

U.S., Israeli, Bahraini, and Qatari flags on a mural celebrating the Abraham Accords

Articles & Testimony

A Path to Peace from Biden’s Trip—How the Arab States Can Help

Regional governments are going to reach out to Israel anyway, so why not take advantage of this activity to help the Palestinians and encourage Jerusalem toward constructive moves?

Aug 1, 2022

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Dennis Ross
David Makovsky

President Joe Biden greets Saudi King Salman in Jeddah in July 2022 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The True Promise of Joe Biden’s Middle East Trip

It is no exaggeration to say that the visit represents a transformation of Washington’s regional approach—including a rethink of the “pivot.”

Jul 27, 2022

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Dennis Ross
James Jeffrey

Fikra Forum

New Poll Shows Gazans Pragmatic Now, But Not Long-Term

A new public opinion poll from Gaza shows some pragmatic, short-term moderation toward the U.S. and Israel over the past year, including opposition to Hamas policies. However, long-term views remain hardline, with few changes during the same period.

Jul 15, 2022

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David Pollock
Faris Almaari

Israeli and UAE flags flying together in Abu Dhabi - source: Reuters

Fikra Forum

Arab Public Opinion on Arab-Israeli Normalization and Abraham Accords

A recent poll indicates that though more Gulfis now disapprove of the Abraham Accords, undertones of warming sentiments towards allowing contacts with Israelis are also present.

Jul 15, 2022

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Dylan Kassin
David Pollock

Vice President Joe Biden arrives in Saudi Arabia

Video

Brief Analysis

Biden in the Middle East: Opportunities and Challenges

A panel of veteran diplomats and scholars from the Gulf, Israel, and Washington discuss the trip’s goals and risks, as well as the president’s chances for success.

Jul 14, 2022

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Tamar Hermann
Dennis Ross
Ebtesam al-Ketbi
Robert Satloff

President Joe Biden meets Palestinian Authority President Abbas in July 2022

Articles & Testimony

From Arabs and Israelis, Biden Hears Very Different “New” Middle Easts

The Gulf capitals and Jerusalem may not agree entirely on what “regional security cooperation” means or what an anti-Iran alliance should look like, but opportunities for other types of cooperation abound.

Jul 13, 2022

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David Makovsky

Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid in the Knesset chamber in Jerusalem on June 30, 2022 - Source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

What Biden and Lapid Have in Common

Their political temperaments and policy priorities are a good match, but this chemistry does not guarantee progress on Iranian and Palestinian issues during an election year.

Jul 8, 2022

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David Makovsky

Fikra Forum

New Poll Reveals Moderate Trend Among East Jerusalem Palestinians

A new poll captures East Jerusalem attitudes towards Arab-Israeli rapprochement, involvement from other Arab countries, and the U.S. policy on the conflict.

Jul 8, 2022

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David Pollock

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Koret Program on Arab-Israel Relations

Through moments of hope and challenge in the Middle East diplomacy, The Washington Institute's Koret Program on Arab-Israel Relations is committed to providing America's policymakers with timely analysis on issues of critical concern to Israel and its Arab neighbors.

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Ghaith al-Omari

Ghaith al-Omari is a senior fellow in The Washington Institute's Irwin Levy Family Program on the U.S.-Israel Strategic Relationship.

Mohammed Dajani

Mohammed S. Dajani Daoudi is the former Weston Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and is Director of the Wasatia Academic Institute in Jerusalem.

Michael Herzog

Michael Herzog was appointed Israel's ambassador to the United States in 2021. Previously, he was an international fellow at The Washington Institute.

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