Israel

Policy Analysis on Israel

Why a Weak Abbas Is Dangerous for Israel

To restore security and expand the Abraham Accords, Washington and its allies must take urgent steps to keep the PA from collapsing, such as organizing donor pressure to appoint a reformist prime minister and increasing employment opportunities for younger Palestinians who no longer see a reason to refrain from violence.

Jul 6, 2023

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Dennis Ross
Ghaith al-Omari

Palestinians throw stones near the West Bank border with Israel.

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

The Danger of Violent Escalation in the West Bank

The West Bank is rapidly becoming Israel’s most active front, with terrorist incidents increasing, extremist settler groups rampaging in response to the murder of Jews, and near-daily clashes becoming more intense as Israeli forces arrest armed youths planning further attacks.

Jun 23, 2023

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Ehud Yaari

Articles & Testimony

How Israel Lost the Syrian Civil War

As part of its strategic blueprint against Israel, Tehran is prepared to pay a steep price to continue consolidating its military presence in Syria, and Arab normalization with Assad will not change that trend in the least.

Jun 2023

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Ehud Yaari

Fikra Forum

Regional Geopolitics and the Second Negev Summit

After months of delay, U.S. and Israeli government officials reportedly suggested that the second Negev Summit will proceed on June 25.

Jun 13, 2023

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Nashat Shawamreh

Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz - source: Israeli Ministry of Defense

Video

Brief Analysis

Israel's Challenges at Home and Abroad: A View from the Opposition

Opposition leader and former defense minister Benny Gantz discusses Israel’s domestic political challenges, the triggers for action against Iran’s nuclear program, the prospects of normalization with Saudi Arabia, and more.

Jun 8, 2023

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Benny Gantz
Robert Satloff
David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

Last Call for UNIFIL? Israel and Hezbollah in a 2006 Deja Vu

The exchange of threats between Israeli and Hezbollah officials is just one in a series of developments indicating higher risk of miscalculation and large-scale regional conflict.

Jun 2, 2023

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Assaf Orion

Articles & Testimony

The No-State Solution

A recent essay touting a “one-state” approach to Israeli-Palestinian issues is more about eliminating the world’s only Jewish state than offering real solutions to complex regional problems.

May 31, 2023

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Robert Satloff

Photo of Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu standing alone in parliament.

Brief Analysis

After Gaza Operation, Netanyahu Seeks to Recover Ground

The Israeli prime minister appears to have avoided a wider military conflict and received a boost in opinion polls, but minefields await.

May 16, 2023

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David Makovsky

Ships and a drilling platform in the Aphrodite offshore gas field near Cyprus

Brief Analysis

Increased Drilling Raises Hopes for East Mediterranean Natural Gas Production

Activity in Cyprus and Lebanon could have significant implications for regional energy and diplomacy.

May 10, 2023

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Simon Henderson

national Security Advisor Jake Sullivan addresses the Institute's 2023 Soref Symposium

Video

Brief Analysis

Keynote Address by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan

Watch video or read a transcript of a new Biden administration speech on U.S. policy in the Middle East, delivered at The Washington Institute’s 2023 Soref Symposium.

May 4, 2023

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Jake Sullivan

◆ 2023 Soref Symposium

Saudi crown prince Muhammad bin Salman, President Biden, Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu (with backdrop of national flags)

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Saudi Normalization with Israel, Domestic 'Transformation,' and U.S. Policy

A near-term breakthrough may be unlikely, but President Biden is well positioned to apply his energy toward negotiating a historic deal that establishes peace and advances American interests.

May 1, 2023

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Robert Satloff

Articles & Testimony

Israeli Public’s Commitment to Democracy Shines as the Country Turns 75

Their willingness to stand against perceived threats to their democratic institutions is laudable, but allowing Israel to drift toward a de facto “one-state” peace solution poses serious threats of its own.

Apr 27, 2023

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Dennis Ross
David Makovsky

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Political Rights and Civil Liberties in the Middle East: Trends in Freedom House Data Since 2010

The organization’s latest report showed persistent backsliding last year and since the Arab Spring, along with dramatic drops in a handful of countries and warnings of further drops next year.

Apr 27, 2023

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Camille Jablonski

Brief Analysis

Jordanian Gun Arrest Underscores Israel’s Smuggling Problem

The case of a parliamentarian accused of weapons trafficking is grabbing headlines, but it is just one small part of the sharp increase in gun smuggling across Jordan and Israel’s frontiers.

Apr 25, 2023

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Matthew Levitt
Lauren von Thaden

A Sudanese protester against military rule

Brief Analysis

The Fighting in Sudan Threatens Peace Efforts with Israel

Even if another civil war is averted, the delay in signing a peace agreement has provided room for the rise of political factions that oppose further relations with Israel.

Apr 21, 2023

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Ehud Yaari

A meeting of the International Solar Alliance in India - source: ISA

Articles & Testimony

Minilateralism: A Concept That Is Changing the World Order

The UAE, Israel, India, and other countries are showing why smaller-scale collaboration based on shared interests can offer distinct advantages in a multipolar world.

Apr 14, 2023

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Nickolay Mladenov

Brief Analysis

Israel May Lose Oil Access in Baghdad-Kurdish Deal

Years of quiet and fairly lucrative oil trading between the Kurds and Israel are now being threatened by messy legal disputes involving Baghdad and Turkey.

Apr 13, 2023

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Simon Henderson
Bilal Wahab
Henry Rome

Photo of Israelis in Tel Aviv protesting proposed judiciary changes, February 2023.

Brief Analysis

Regional Reactions to Israel’s Protests

Many Middle Eastern outlets have used the crisis to reinforce their inflammatory rhetoric, but some have provided nuanced analysis through the lenses of democratic principles and Arab-Israel peace.

Apr 12, 2023

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Frances McDonough

Twitter posts from Lebanese users commenting on Hamas rocket strikes launched from Lebanon on Israel - source: Twitter

Brief Analysis

Lebanese Social Media Reactions to Rocket Strikes on Israel

A sampling of posts suggests fears of another catastrophic war, increased public questioning of Hezbollah as a “resistance” movement, and anger toward its cooperation with Iran in compromising Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Apr 7, 2023

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Erik Yavorsky
Faris Almaari

Fikra Forum

Surging Violence: Hamas Attempts to Reshape the West Bank’s Political Landscape

With an opportunity to subtly expand its influence in the West Bank, Hamas is less likely to risk an all-out war with Israel from Gaza as they did in 2021.

Apr 5, 2023

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Nasser Khdour

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Featured experts

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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