Peace Process

Policy Analysis on Peace Process

The United States Should Help Close Gaps Between Israelis and Palestinians

The multitude of other crises in the region and the strong doubts among Israelis and Palestinians cannot be an argument for walking away from diplomatic efforts.

Jul 3, 2014

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Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

Beyond 'Restraint': Washington Can Shape Responses to the West Bank Murders

The Obama administration would be on firm ground in making further aid and diplomatic support conditional on the PA either acting unambiguously to end Hamas violence or dissolving its partnership with that U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

Jul 1, 2014

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David Pollock

Brief Analysis

Assessing the Potential for an Israel-Hamas Showdown

The discovery of murdered kidnap victims in the West Bank and increased rocket fire from Gaza have brought Hamas and Israel to the brink of a new round of hostilities.

Jul 1, 2014

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Neri Zilber

Brief Analysis

New Palestinian Poll Shows Hardline Views, But Some Pragmatism Too

New survey results show that violence is not a popular option among Palestinians and that Hamas is not benefiting from the current troubles, giving U.S. policymakers some breathing room to concentrate on more urgent crises in Iraq and Syria while backing practical steps to cool tensions.

Jun 25, 2014

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David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

The Moral Math of Trading with Enemies

The Bowe Bergdahl controversy has brought renewed attention to the costs of trading for hostages, and how the United States, Israel, and other countries weigh those costs.

Jun 22, 2014

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David Schenker

Brief Analysis

Israelis Kidnapped in the West Bank: Implications

If U.S. policy was to "wait and see" how the Hamas-approved Palestinian reconciliation process would unfold in practice, the test is now.

Jun 16, 2014

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Neri Zilber

Brief Analysis

Palestinians Want Hamas In, but Want Peace Talks Too

West Bank and Gaza residents alike still appear more receptive to Fatah than Hamas viewpoints.

Jun 6, 2014

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David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

CLARIFICATION:

Was the U.S. Assurance to Israel about a Palestinian Government 'Backed By' Hamas or One That 'Consists of Hamas'?

An update on a potentially important area of disagreement regarding U.S. and Israeli policy toward the next Palestinian government.

Jun 2, 2014

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Robert Satloff

Brief Analysis

With the Peace Process on Hold, Washington Still Faces Key Israeli-Palestinian Tests

In the coming days, the Obama administration faces key decisions on how to respond to a Palestinian government "backed by Hamas," whether to condone Hamas participation in Palestinian elections, and what strategy to adopt in response to another effort by Palestinians to enhance their status in the UN.

May 30, 2014

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Robert Satloff

Brief Analysis

Palestinian Reconciliation: Devil in the Details?

How -- and if -- Hamas and Fatah overcome formidable security, institutional, and political roadblocks should dictate the international response to their unity deal and joint government.

May 28, 2014

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Matthew Levitt
Neri Zilber

Articles & Testimony

Open a Middle Road to Mideast Peace

Even if a permanent deal isn't achievable right now, Washington can still foster a process that contributes to peacemaking.

May 23, 2014

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

John Kerry Doomed the Israeli-Palestinian Talks by Refusing to Consider a Transition Agreement

If the United States and the major donor nations endorsed a transition agreement, the conflict would become a dispute between two states, leaving the Palestinian leadership with little choice but to forge ahead toward a final-status solution.

May 12, 2014

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Ehud Yaari

Brief Analysis

Decision Time on the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process:

U.S. Strategy Hits a Critical Juncture

As narratives about the root causes of the impasse in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations take shape, U.S. leaders have a major decision to make about whether to disengage from diplomacy or deepen involvement in less high-profile ways.

May 12, 2014

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Robert Satloff

Video

In-Depth Reports

The Pursuit of Middle East Peace: A Status Report

Martin Indyk, the U.S. special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, addressed the 2014 Weinberg Founders Conference.

May 8, 2014

Video

In-Depth Reports

Israeli-Palestinian Relations: Top-Down and Bottom-Up

Israeli and Palestinian perspectives on recently collapsed peace talks offer hope for eventual progress, though publics and leaders on both sides will need to overcome barriers of mistrust and misunderstanding.

May 8, 2014

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Mohammed Dajani
Michael Herzog
David Pollock

Video

In-Depth Reports

Strategy and Leadership: America's Core Challenges in the Middle East

Martin Indyk, U.S. special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, diagnosed the collapse of recent peace talks in a frank keynote address to the Institute's 2014 Weinberg Founders Conference. Watch his remarks and download a transcript. Also view other sessions, with speakers including Sen. Tim Kaine, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, and former French ambassador to Washington Jean-David Levitte.

May 7, 2014

Articles & Testimony

The Peace Process Needs Partners, Not Scapegoats

Divisive approaches that emphasize conspiracy theories rather than hard facts will only push the Palestinians further away from their goal of statehood.

Apr 25, 2014

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David Pollock

Brief Analysis

The Hamas-Fatah Reconciliation Agreement: Too Early to Judge

Even as the deal offers short-term political benefits for both sides, it fails to resolve key issues separating them.

Apr 24, 2014

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Ehud Yaari
Neri Zilber

Articles & Testimony

Six Takes on the Palestinian Unity Deal

Although the deal indicates that Abbas's primary concern is managing relations with his hardline rivals, Washington should still continue its efforts to revive the peace talks.

Apr 23, 2014

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David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

What Washington Is Missing in the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks

To prevent another failure that would further dishearten the Israeli and Palestinian publics, the Obama administration should focus on direct, low-profile engagement between the two sides, lapsed economic reform, and other helpful efforts.

Apr 15, 2014

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Michael Singh

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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Policy Analysis on Peace Process

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Policy Analysis on Peace Process

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