Palestinians

Policy Analysis on Palestinians

New York Times front page depicting Palestinian casualties of the 2021 Gaza conflict

What’s Wrong with the NY Times’ Report on Children’s Deaths? So Much.

By failing to provide essential information on sourcing, the reporting environment, the victims’ proximity to legitimate military targets, their family connections with combatants, and other matters, the article presents a skewed, sensationalist image of the Gaza conflict.

May 31, 2021

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Robert Satloff

Police walk past the Palestinian Legislative Council in Ramallah

Articles & Testimony

Palestinian Politics Are More Divided Than Ever

Fatah and Hamas have tried every conceivable power-sharing mechanism to no avail, and many Palestinians now feel alienated from both brands of authoritarianism.

May 27, 2021

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Ghaith al-Omari

Chinese and U.S. flags flutter at a trade meeting in Shanghai

Articles & Testimony

Beijing Is Social Media Trolling Biden Over Gaza

China’s "wolf warrior" diplomacy has discovered the Middle East, catching Washington unprepared.

May 26, 2021

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Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

Why Blinken Will Have a Tough Sell

The Biden administration cannot solve the Israeli-Palestinian problem today, but it can shrink the conflict by helping both sides take small steps toward a two-state solution.

May 25, 2021

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David Makovsky

Iron Dome rockets intercepting Hamas missiles over Tel Aviv

Brief Analysis

A Military Assessment of the Israel-Hamas Conflict

Both sides employed new methods in this round, and while Israel’s were more effective in military terms, the true measure of success will depend on how quickly Hamas can rebuild its warfighting capabilities and exploit any political gains.

May 25, 2021

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Grant Rumley
Neri Zilber

President Joe Biden speaks on the phone in the Oval Office of the White House

Brief Analysis

Winning the Gaza Ceasefire: Critical Decisions for the Biden Administration

Hamas may not have realized it when firing its first salvo against Jerusalem, but the challenge of its rockets didn’t end with a ceasefire—the administration now faces complex and urgent decisions that could affect the direction of its overall foreign policy.

May 21, 2021

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Robert Satloff

Articles & Testimony

The Real Impact of the War Between Hamas and Israel

The latest round of fighting may have come to an end, but the broader regional struggle over issues such as Sunni political Islam, normalization, and Iranian encroachment will continue for the long term.

May 21, 2021

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Sarah Feuer

Articles & Testimony

After the Gaza Cease-Fire, What Next?

From calling out Qatar and Turkey to encouraging direct Israeli aid, Washington should pursue bolder initiatives that boost the chances of avoiding bloodshed.

May 20, 2021

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David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

How the World Could Help End the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict—and Prevent Future Clashes

To make the ceasefire a lasting one, Washington should pursue discreet Israeli-Saudi normalization discussions and force Hamas to choose between its rockets and reconstruction.

May 19, 2021

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Dennis Ross

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh gestures to supporters

Articles & Testimony

Israel-Gaza Violence Means Biden Must Avoid Emboldening Hamas in Any Cease-Fire Deal

Boosting aid and addressing provocative policies will need to be discussed soon, but doing so prematurely would only further the terrorist group’s power struggle against the nonviolent Palestinian Authority.

May 18, 2021

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Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

How Cairo Can Help Ease the Israeli-Palestinian Crisis

Washington should welcome Egypt’s desire to restore its role as a peace mediator, but only if both governments are willing to formulate a constructive approach that avoids repeating the mistakes of the Mubarak era.

May 18, 2021

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Haisam Hassanein

Photo showing the Iron Dome defense system intercepting Hamas rockets over Ashkelon, Israel, in May 2021.

Video

Brief Analysis

Hamas-Israel Violence: Context and Trajectory

What caused the latest Israeli-Palestinian crisis? What does each side seek to gain from it? And how can Washington help deescalate the fighting? Watch video or read a summary of this expert panel discussion.

May 18, 2021

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Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen
Ehud Yaari
Ghaith al-Omari

Articles & Testimony

How Fighting With the Palestinians Gave Israel’s Netanyahu a Political Lifeline

The most imminent threat to his rule has fizzled since the shooting began, but domestic anger toward him remains widespread.

May 14, 2021

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Neri Zilber

Articles & Testimony

Stopping the Cycle in the Mideast

In addition to seeking Egypt’s help with mediation, the Biden administration needs to recognize that several motivations are driving Hamas in this round, so raising the cost to the group cannot just be measured in military terms.

May 14, 2021

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David Makovsky
Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

How War With the Palestinians Triggered Ethnic Violence in Israel

In mixed towns across the country, Arab and Jewish citizens have turned on one another, with substantial implications for the government formation process and other issues.

May 13, 2021

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Neri Zilber

Israeli politicians Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett

Brief Analysis

Can the Change Coalition End Israel’s Endless Election Cycle?

The diverse coalition may be able to form a viable government, but it will need to navigate carefully in light of internal political differences and Netanyahu’s presence in the opposition as a potential spoiler.

May 6, 2021

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

To Vote or Not to Vote:

Implications of Postponing Palestinian Elections

As the risks of holding Palestinian elections come into focus, a Palestinian Authority decision to postpone the elections will increase tensions on the ground while highlighting structural flaws within Fatah and the PA.

Apr 28, 2021

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Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

UAE Wealth Fund to Buy Share of Israeli Gas Field

If the $1.1 billion deal goes ahead, it will strengthen Abu Dhabi’s claim to be a player in the East Mediterranean.

Apr 27, 2021

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Biden’s ‘Open Door’ to the Palestinian Authority

Reestablishing U.S. funding and diplomatic missions may pose problems given the Palestinian leadership’s continued rejectionism, but one key benefit could be ending the PA “pay for slay” program.

Apr 26, 2021

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David Pollock
Sander Gerber

Brief Analysis

Hamas Fields a Militant Electoral List: Implications for U.S.-Palestinian Ties

The group plans to put numerous convicted terrorists on the ballot, and neither the PA nor the international community seems willing to talk about the potential legal, diplomatic, and budgetary consequences.

Apr 21, 2021

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Katherine Bauer
Matthew Levitt

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Program on Arab Politics

The Washington Institute's Program on Arab Politics focuses on social, political, and economic developments in the Arab world, with an emphasis on the Arab countries of the Levant.

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Policy Analysis on Palestinians

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