Arab-Israeli Relations

Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

Resolving the PA Funding Crisis, But Not in Bahrain

Rather than pinning false hopes on the Manama conference, the international community should focus on reforming the Paris Protocol and convincing the Palestinians to resume revenue transfers from Israel.

Jun 24, 2019

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Katherine Bauer

Brief Analysis

Bahrain’s Hopes and Fears for the Peace Conference

Although the island may reap diplomatic kudos and economic benefits for hosting such a high-profile event, the potential reactions of domestic sectarian communities and nearby Iran remain a concern.

Jun 24, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Don’t Dismiss the Bahrain Conference. It Can Help Palestinians.

Emphasizing stabilization efforts now while at least mentioning Palestinian statehood just might give the Trump peace plan a chance later.

Jun 19, 2019

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Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

East Mediterranean Energy and Middle East Peace

The slow but steady progress in developing offshore gas fields is transforming local economies and could underpin U.S. peace plans.

Jun 13, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Lebanon and Israel Are Set to Negotiate: What’s at Stake?

Although Hezbollah and its allies might use the upcoming talks as a mere stalling tactic, negotiators will still have opportunities to exploit the group’s domestic vulnerabilities.

Jun 12, 2019

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Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

What to Expect from the U.S.-Russia Meeting in Jerusalem

Ultimately, no deal is better than a bad deal, and Moscow’s track record in Syria suggests it is both unable and unwilling to keep Iran out.

Jun 12, 2019

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Brief Analysis

Ramadan Soap Operas Contradict Sisi’s Outreach to Israel

Despite Egypt’s warming relations with the Israeli government, the country’s airwaves and movie theaters are still rife with bellicose and anti-Semitic content.

Jun 7, 2019

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Haisam Hassanein

Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas and U.S. president Donald Trump at the White House - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

After the Netanyahu Fail, What Is Trump’s Israel-Palestine Solution? Let Others Pick Up the Pieces

Other countries have insulated Washington from the ramifications of damaging policy choices and helped maintain stability, but this safety net may not survive another fall.

May 31, 2019

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Neri Zilber

Articles & Testimony

Netanyahu's Government Fail Should Postpone Trump's Middle East Peace Plan. That's a Good Thing.

Palestinians heaved a sigh of relief when they saw Israel would hold new elections, and the United States would have more time to do the diplomatic work needed.

May 31, 2019

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Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

Israel’s Election Redo: Implications for the Trump Peace Plan

The U.S. and Israeli electoral calendars will likely impede any grand peace plan for the foreseeable future, so the administration should instead focus on immediate stabilization measures leading up to and during the Bahrain economic conference.

May 31, 2019

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Jared Kushner’s Peace Plan Would Be a Disaster

The only way to protect the long-term viability of the plan's best aspects is to kill it.

May 10, 2019

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Robert Satloff

Articles & Testimony

U.S.-Iran, Israel-Gaza Turn Mideast into a Danger Zone Again

American ships and bombers are arriving in the Gulf at a time when nerves are raw and various players are making risky escalation wagers.

May 6, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Israel’s Armistice with Hamas, Growing Tensions with Abbas

Releasing the U.S. peace plan could accelerate recent Palestinian political dynamics, with Hamas consolidating its position via ceasefire and reconstruction aid while the PA continues isolating itself.

Apr 24, 2019

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Ehud Yaari

Brief Analysis

After the Palestinians Reject Trump’s Peace Plan, Then What?

Rather than trying to punish the PA by supporting West Bank annexations or other draconian measures, Washington should simply press forward with other willing partners until Ramallah comes around.

Apr 18, 2019

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David Pollock

Brief Analysis

Israel and Bahrain’s Normalization Setback

The scuttling of a high-profile opportunity for commercial engagement is a reminder that expanding Gulf-Israel ties to the public realm will be a slow, thorny process.

Apr 16, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Netanyahu’s Win Gives Him Leeway on Annexation and Gaza

Despite his controversial campaign statements, the prime minister will likely remain cautious about actually seizing West Bank territory or ordering ground incursions into Gaza.

Apr 15, 2019

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Benjamin Netanyahu ‘the Magician’ Is Re-Elected Israel’s Prime Minister—but at What Price?

Facing multiple indictments, Netanyahu may try to keep himself out of jail by annexing the West Bank, but what happens to the 2.5 million Palestinians living there, and to Israel’s identity?

Apr 12, 2019

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Neri Zilber

Articles & Testimony

The Future of Bibi Netanyahu

The one-man show is set for another term with a similar approach to foreign policy, and indictments are unlikely to cut it short.

Apr 11, 2019

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Ehud Yaari

Articles & Testimony

Trump Must Not Let Jared Kushner’s Peace Plan See the Light of Day

Releasing a U.S. proposal that is bound to fail would legitimize Israeli calls for annexation, give Saudi Arabia leverage over Washington, and strengthen Iran.

Apr 10, 2019

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Robert Satloff

Video

Brief Analysis

Bibi vs. Benny: A Conversation on the Eve of Israel's Elections

Three veteran political observers discuss the status of each campaign and what a victory by either side might mean for Israeli policy.

Apr 5, 2019

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Ehud Yaari
Tal Shalev
David Makovsky

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Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations

Through moments of hope and challenge in the Middle East diplomacy, The Washington Institute's Koret Project 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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Featured experts

Ghaith al-Omari

Ghaith al-Omari is the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Senior Fellow in The Washington Institute's Irwin Levy Family Program on the U.S.-Israel Strategic Relationship.

David Makovsky

David Makovsky is the Ziegler Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations.

Dennis Ross

Dennis Ross, a former special assistant to President Barack Obama, is the counselor and William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute.

Ehud Yaari

Ehud Yaari is the Lafer International Fellow at The Washington Institute.

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Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

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