Arab-Israeli Relations

Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

Without the creation of a new military concept by Israel to counter Hamas, a much bloodier conflict is likely in the future.

Feb 23, 2018

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Sami Turjeman

Brief Analysis

Abbas at the Security Council

While the occasion of a Palestinian leader addressing the council was novel, the speech itself was classic Abbas: balancing his domestic need to appear defiant, but avoiding irretrievable diplomatic damage.

Feb 20, 2018

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Ghaith al-Omari

Articles & Testimony

Israel, the Palestinians, and the Administration's Peace Plan

A former PA advisor discusses the concrete steps Washington can take to preserve security cooperation and build public trust between the two sides, at least until deeper negotiations are possible again.

Feb 14, 2018

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Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

Crossing Redlines: Escalation Dynamics in Syria

Tehran and its allies will test U.S. and Israeli limits again, requiring deterrent responses that are tough, consistent, and paired with political reassurances to allies.

Feb 13, 2018

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Michael Eisenstadt
Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

Israel Signaling a Heavy Price for Iranian 'Entrenchment' in Syria

If Tehran keeps trying to increase its military foothold in Syria, Israel may ramp up its strikes, so Washington should consider a more active posture that reduces the risks of escalation.

Feb 12, 2018

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

The Hush-Hush Deal That Keeps the Middle East from Exploding

Israeli and Palestinian officials may growl at one another, but their soldiers are quietly cooperating behind the scenes to keep the peace -- as long as the Trump administration doesn't pull their funding.

Feb 12, 2018

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Neri Zilber
Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

With or Without Putin, Israel Is Willing to Enforce Lebanon Redline

Through Moscow meetings and public statements, Israeli officials have made clear that Iranian weapons facilities in Lebanon are a game changer, so escalation is quite possible if Tehran ignores their warnings.

Feb 1, 2018

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

New Palestinian and Egyptian Designations Highlight Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood

The State Department is upping the pressure on Tehran and the Brotherhood's violent progeny in Gaza and Egypt.

Jan 31, 2018

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Hamas Failures in Gaza Are Changing Israel's Stance

At a time when the prospects for Palestinian political reconciliation have faded, international donor initiatives and Israeli infrastructure projects could help avert further deterioration.

Jan 30, 2018

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David Makovsky
Lia Weiner

Articles & Testimony

A Historic Holocaust Awareness Awakening in Saudi Arabia, of All Places

A Remembrance Day letter from a top Saudi religious figure is a laudable example of outreach from the heart of Islam.

Jan 26, 2018

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Robert Satloff

Brief Analysis

Abbas Still Faces Unattractive Alternatives to Peacemaking

Despite the inflammatory rhetoric in his latest speech, the Palestinian leader is unlikely to foreclose the two-state process and opt for armed struggle, Islamist domination, or other risky options.

Jan 16, 2018

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Why a Big Wave of European Countries Recognizing Palestine Is Fast Approaching

The chasm is widening between Israeli and EU views on the Palestinians, but officials should not overlook their policy convergence on Iran, Syria, and Saudi Arabia.

Jan 10, 2018

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Middle East's Dull Response to Jerusalem Decision Shouldn't Come as a Surprise

The various regional actors who galvanized past protests have lost much of their legitimacy in recent years.

Dec 29, 2017

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Haisam Hassanein
Wesam Hassanein

Articles & Testimony

The Fantasy of an International Jerusalem

One hundred years ago, over a lunch, the internationalization of Jerusalem became irrelevant, and it remains so today.

Dec 28, 2017

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Martin Kramer

Brief Analysis

Israel's Gas Disappointment

The country's continuing political and commercial challenges, including limited export possibilities, are hampering development of its Eastern Mediterranean natural gas.

Dec 21, 2017

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Mohammed bin Salman Doesn't Want to Talk About Jerusalem

Saudi Arabia's rulers have lots of worries, but Trump's announcement about the holy city isn't one of them.

Dec 14, 2017

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Robert Satloff

Articles & Testimony

From Bahrain to Jerusalem

A Bahraini delegation's trip to Israel is the latest sign of burgeoning Gulf outreach to the Jewish state.

Dec 13, 2017

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Simon Henderson

Video

Brief Analysis

The Middle East through Gulf Eyes: Trip Report from Riyadh, Muscat, and Abu Dhabi

Four scholars share their findings from high-level meetings in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Read a summary or watch complete video of their conversation.

Dec 12, 2017

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Robert Satloff
Michael Singh
Katherine Bauer
Lori Plotkin Boghardt

Israeli and Palestinian children join the mayor of Jerusalem to release doves.

Articles & Testimony

Arabs Must Accept Jerusalem's Status

In light of entrenched Arab public opposition to Jewish rights in Jerusalem, insisting on them up front as a non-negotiable may be the only way of moving the two-state process forward.

Dec 10, 2017

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Haisam Hassanein

Video

Brief Analysis

For Israel at the UN, Quiet Respect and Continued Public Hostility

Watch the full conversation between Institute executive director Robert Satloff and 2017 Scholar-Statesman Award honorees Dore Gold, Dan Gillerman, and Ron Prosor, who each served as Israeli ambassador to the United Nations.

Dec 8, 2017

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Robert Satloff
Dore Gold
Dan Gillerman
Ron Prosor

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.

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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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