Israel

Policy Analysis on Israel

The Case for Continuing the U.S. Mission in Sinai

For almost four decades, the Multinational Force & Observers has protected Israel-Egypt peace and anchored stability in the Sinai Peninsula, but a new Pentagon initiative could end the American contribution by late next year. Defense Secretary Mark Esper has indicated that all military endeavors must now fall within a National

May 27, 2020

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Assaf Orion
Denis Thompson

Brief Analysis

Did Pompeo’s Visit Shift the Annexation Debate in Israel and Washington?

The Trump administration has signaled that it won’t be bound by Netanyahu’s summer rush schedule on the issue, adding to the many foreign and domestic factors that could lead the prime minister to delay or curtail the move.

May 20, 2020

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

How Israeli Annexation Talk Is Already Reshaping the Middle East

The Palestinians are withdrawing from peace deals, and Jordan could be next as Israel edges closer to appropriating land outright.

May 19, 2020

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Neri Zilber

Brief Analysis

Growing Tensions in South Syria Signal More Regime Attacks

Given the Syrian army’s recent deployments in Deraa and Russia’s half-hearted attempts to halt them, the situation may soon lead to renewed shelling of civilian areas and myriad complications for Israel and Jordan.

May 18, 2020

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Ehud Yaari

Brief Analysis

Violence Targeting Palestinian Banks Comes at a Sensitive Time

The latest row over prisoner payments has highlighted the PA’s longstanding legitimacy deficit and its potential inability to control events on the ground if public unrest escalates this summer.

May 14, 2020

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Ghaith al-Omari
Katherine Bauer

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Green Without Borders:

The Operational Benefits of Hezbollah's Environmental NGO

In this illuminating Policy Note -- complete with detailed maps and satellite imagery -- Matthew Levitt and Samantha Stern tell the story of the Lebanese NGO Green Without Borders and explain why the mandate for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon must be reworked.

May 14, 2020

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Matthew Levitt
Samantha Stern

Articles & Testimony

On Annexation, Netanyahu Must Choose a Lasting Legacy

The prime minister no longer needs to lean on the transactional politics of partisan campaign promises, so history will judge him harshly if he keeps pursuing policies that threaten Israel’s peace prospects and Jewish identity.

May 5, 2020

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David Makovsky
Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

Lebanon's Crises Offer a Chance to Address Hezbollah Violations in the South

The UN’s latest report makes clear that the dangerous situation will not improve on its own, compelling the international community to find new ways of addressing the group’s violations and the role that the Lebanese government and military play in enabling them.

May 5, 2020

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Assaf Orion

Brief Analysis

Coronavirus on the Israeli-Palestinian Scene (Part 2): The Gaza Strip

Hamas authorities have taken various measures to stave off the pandemic, but Gaza’s major healthcare shortfalls, deep economic problems, and high risk of wider infection could lead to violent flare-ups with Israel.

May 1, 2020

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Michael Herzog
Ghaith al-Omari

Articles & Testimony

Covid-19 and Middle East Proxy Wars: The Storm Before the Calm?

Although the pandemic’s full regional consequences remain murky, some early trends are becoming clear, from caution among certain proxy patrons, to escalation among others, and a looming financial crunch for all.

Apr 29, 2020

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David Pollock

Brief Analysis

Coronavirus on the Israeli-Palestinian Scene (Part 1): The West Bank and East Jerusalem

The outbreak has temporarily shifted the two sides from squabbling over the ‘deal of the century’ to cooperating against the ‘pandemic of the century,’ though bitter political differences continue to cause tensions.

Apr 28, 2020

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Michael Herzog
Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

State of Jurisdiction: The International Criminal Court and the ‘Situation in Palestine’

The question of whether the ICC is able to proceed with cases against Israeli and Palestinian officials may hinge on fuzzy international legal criteria and competing arguments by sympathetic governments.

Apr 24, 2020

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Alexander Loengarov

Brief Analysis

Israel’s Rush to ‘Apply Sovereignty’ in the West Bank: Timing and Potential Consequences

Given the short U.S. election calendar, Netanyahu is adamant about securing approval for unilateral moves in the West Bank by July 1, a timetable that may hold damaging implications for Israeli relations with multiple countries.

Apr 22, 2020

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

What ‘Bonaparte Visiting the Plague-Stricken in Jaffa’ Teaches About Our Own Plague-Stricken Time

The painting and the historical scene it depicts remind us that many aspects of the coronavirus pandemic—from equipment rationing to ‘Orient blaming’ to political clashes with medical science—are nothing new.

Apr 21, 2020

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Martin Kramer

Articles & Testimony

Benny Gantz Did the Right Thing by Putting His Country First

The Blue-White leader’s former allies have denounced him for caving to Netanyahu, but his conciliatory gesture is a sign of statesmanship, not weakness.

Apr 7, 2020

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Dennis Ross
David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

U.S. Policy in the Middle East Amid Great Power Competition

Viewing regional issues through this broader strategic lens will require Washington to accept painful trade-offs and take a tougher stance with difficult allies.

Mar 30, 2020

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Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

Gantz’s Gamble

In the name of Israeli unity, the former Blue-White leader has opted to detonate his bloc and allow Netanyahu to remain in power until next year, with uncertain consequences for domestic politics, West Bank annexations, and other issues.

Mar 27, 2020

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

Israel’s Political Battle Goes to Court

The dispute over voting for a new speaker of parliament is the latest front in determining who will form the next government, with the Supreme Court entering the fray as Netanyahu maneuvers to stay in power.

Mar 24, 2020

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Coronavirus in the Holy Land: Israel Has Been Ready for a Crisis Such as This

Fortress Israel raised its drawbridges early, though its resultant economic and political outlook is just as uncertain as the rest of the world’s.

Mar 20, 2020

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Neri Zilber

Brief Analysis

As Israel’s Kingmaker Gets Off the Fence, Gantz Gets a Boost

Although Benny Gantz’s party lost the head-to-head battle, Avigdor Liberman’s favorable influence on the coalition math has left the general in a stronger position—and taken some diplomatic weight off the Trump administration’s shoulders.

Mar 9, 2020

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David Makovsky

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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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Policy Analysis on Israel

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