Peace Process

Policy Analysis on Peace Process

A Steep Uphill Climb: Why Trump’s New Mideast Peace Plan Will Likely Harden the Israeli-Palestinian Divide

As currently constituted, the plan cannot be accepted by any Palestinian who cares about self-determination, but implementing some of its economic provisions might create room for negotiations down the road.

Feb 2, 2020

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Trump’s Peace Plan Won’t Have a Chance Unless Israel Shows Restraint on Annexation

Undifferentiated settlement annexation will inevitably undermine Israel’s ability to separate from the Palestinians, making a one-state outcome more likely.

Jan 29, 2020

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Dennis Ross
David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Trump Peace Plan Attracts Some Gulf States, But Not Consensus Backing

Bahrain, Oman, and the UAE have evidently decided that good relations with the White House are more important than echoing Palestinian anger or appeasing Iran.

Jan 29, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Revealed at Last: Trump’s Israeli-Palestinian Peace Deal to End All Peace

Despite the applause in some quarters, the plan may wind up fostering tense conditions that are ripe for Palestinian violence.

Jan 28, 2020

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Neri Zilber

Brief Analysis

Palestinian Reactions to the Trump Plan

The PA will likely limit itself to quick diplomatic thrusts in order to preempt Arab support and isolate Washington, but any Israeli annexation moves could trigger more drastic action.

Jan 27, 2020

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Ghaith al-Omari

Articles & Testimony

Remembering the Muslims Murdered at Auschwitz

This modest proposal—to broaden the scope of Holocaust remembrance by including the names of Muslims killed at Auschwitz—appeared this weekend in English and Arabic in Saudi, Egyptian, and Israeli media outlets.

Jan 26, 2020

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Robert Satloff

Brief Analysis

The White House Peace Plan Meeting: U.S. Goals, Israeli Repercussions

Whether they reveal a detailed plan or merely preview an aspirational document, U.S. officials still need to clarify their goals at a time when elections are looming and Palestinian participation seems highly unlikely.

Jan 24, 2020

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

Round Three in Israel: Domestic Dynamics and Foreign Policy Implications

The top contenders from round two were unwilling to compromise, but new primary challengers, shifts in voting patterns, and potential plea bargains may make their inflexibility a moot point by March.

Dec 17, 2019

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

Israeli Gas Export Route to Egypt Finalized

The two countries still need to resolve longer-term questions about international export options and energy contracts with Jordan, but the latest step toward reopening the pipeline is encouraging.

Nov 13, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

New Gaza Crossing Raises Questions About Blockade Policies

The items being moved from Egypt through Salah al-Din Gate underline the contradictions and long-term unsustainability of the current stalemate regarding Gaza assistance.

Oct 23, 2019

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Neri Zilber

Articles & Testimony

What Israel’s Past Leaders Can Teach Us About Its Current Problem

Even though they did not share the same ideologies, Ben-Gurion, Begin, Rabin, and Sharon did share a common view of leadership and the role of the prime minister.

Oct 23, 2019

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David Makovsky
Dennis Ross

Isaeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin shakes hands with Jordanian King Hussein in front of U.S. President Bill Clinton at the White House in 1994.

Brief Analysis

The Forgotten Peace at Twenty-Five: How to Protect and Strengthen Israel-Jordan Ties

On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the peace treaty, both parties and the United States have strategic interests in upholding and reinforcing the relationship.

Oct 23, 2019

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Ghaith al-Omari
Ben Fishman

Brief Analysis

Netanyahu Era Likely Coming to an End Amid Post-Election Standoff

Three different scenarios could unfold in the coming weeks, but they all share one thing in common: Netanyahu would no longer dominate the political landscape the way he has over the past decade.

Oct 21, 2019

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David Makovsky

IDF commandoes engage in a rescue mission

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Guidelines for Israel's National Security Strategy

This new study examines the current map of Israel’s threats and proposes principles to address them as the basis for a comprehensive national security strategy.

Oct 2, 2019

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Gadi Eisenkot
Gabi Siboni

Articles & Testimony

The Economics of Calm

The stabilization efforts brokered by Israel’s defense establishment have kept a lid on things so far, but the hazards of this approach may be unsustainable at a time of donor drought and Palestinian institutional erosion.

Sep 26, 2019

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Katherine Bauer

Articles & Testimony

Seven Black Swans in the Middle East

Events considered impossible tend to happen in the region with unusual frequency, so when will the next one appear?

Sep 24, 2019

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Martin Kramer

Articles & Testimony

How to Think About Israeli-Palestinian Peace

In the current circumstances of deep disbelief on both sides, stabilization and development go hand in hand.

Sep 24, 2019

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Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

The Premier Who Cried Gevalt: Why Netanyahu Lost His Majority

Whether due to institutional concerns, failed alarmist tactics, or turnout issues, Netanyahu’s seat tally shrank between rounds one and two, and time is now on Benny Gantz’s side.

Sep 19, 2019

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

On the Eve of Israel’s Do-Over: Final Maneuvers and Coalition Possibilities

Netanyahu continues to hunt for last-minute right-wing votes, while the center-left has cast its lot with a “national unity” strategy that would aim to peel Likud away from him.

Sep 16, 2019

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Netanyahu Is Endangering the Future of a Two-State Solution

Advocacy groups, congressional delegations, and Trump administration officials should all be asking Israel the same tough question: how can we help you rethink settlement expansion and thereby preserve separation as an option?

Sep 15, 2019

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Dennis Ross
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.

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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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Peace Process

Policy Analysis on Peace Process

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Policy Analysis on Peace Process

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