Arab-Israeli Relations

Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

Ehud Yaari
Tal Shalev
David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

How to Make Trump’s Israeli-Palestinian Peace Plan Work

Resuming conditional aid to the PA is the best way to bolster peace diplomacy, or help ensure stability if the process founders.

Apr 2, 2019

◆

Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

Golan Policy May Invite Israel’s Right to Annex West Bank Territory. That Would Spell Disaster.

If the Trump administration wants its peace plan to have any chance of success, it must announce soon that it will oppose any unilateral steps toward annexation.

Mar 29, 2019

◆

Dennis Ross
David Makovsky

Egyptian and Israeli flags along the Sinai border

Brief Analysis

The Second Step in Egypt-Israel Peace Is a Tall One

Despite their treaty’s rock-solid record on preventing armed conflict, the two countries still hold fundamentally different views on further normalization.

Mar 26, 2019

◆

Haisam Hassanein

President Jimmy Carter, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin shake hands at the White House as the Camp David Accords are announced.

Articles & Testimony

40 Years of Peace Between Israel and Egypt

Sadat and Begin gambled everything, and the bet continues to pay off despite the dearth of normalization between the two societies.

Mar 25, 2019

◆

Dennis Ross
David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Are Israeli Politics Dooming Kushner's Peace Push?

Even if Netanyahu somehow prevails in the April election, prospects for a grand deal with the Palestinians will likely remain dim.

Mar 19, 2019

◆

David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

The New Palestinian Prime Minister Will Face Steep Internal Challenges

Fatah succession maneuvers, escalating tensions with Hamas, a financial crisis, and an uncertain security hierarchy will make it difficult for the incoming premier to improve the current situation.

Mar 13, 2019

◆

Ghaith al-Omari

Articles & Testimony

Trump’s Subtlety Could Yield Middle East Peace

Past administrations have publicized their plans too soon, provoking fury from extremists on both sides.

Mar 13, 2019

◆

Jonathan Schanzer
Ghaith al-Omari

Articles & Testimony

Oslo’s Mangled Legacy

Despite their failures, the accords are inextricably linked with the Palestinian national movement and its associated diplomatic/security architecture, so allowing them to collapse completely could make a bad situation worse.

Mar 4, 2019

◆

Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

Cyprus Gas Discovery Could Be an East Mediterranean Game-Changer

The latest success will encourage more exploration in the area, but probably more regional rivalry as well.

Mar 1, 2019

◆

Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Dueling Narratives in Israel’s Election Campaign

A new political merger has distilled the campaign into a two-faction race, and each side is already crafting its message accordingly.

Feb 22, 2019

◆

David Makovsky

Supported by the

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.

Never miss a breaking event on U.S. policy interests in the Middle East. Customize your subscription to our expert analysis, op-eds, live events, and special reports.

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.

Regions & Countries

Issues

Arab-Israeli Relations

Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations

Featured experts

Regions & Countries

Issues

Arab-Israeli Relations

Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute

Featured experts