Peace Process

Policy Analysis on Peace Process

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

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

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

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

Brief Analysis

Israel’s Electoral Marathon: Coalition Scenarios and Policy Implications

Although another abortive government formation process is possible, the main players could assemble an assortment of coalitions that differ widely in their approach to West Bank annexation and other issues.

Feb 28, 2020

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

The Problem with Trump’s Middle East Peace Plan

The administration seemingly cannot decide if its plan is an opening gambit to trigger a compromise or a fait accompli that precludes one.

Feb 23, 2020

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Dennis Ross
David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Trump’s Mideast Plan Represents a Deep Paradigm Shift. What Should Israel Do Next?

The proposal could create a powerful new point of reference for any future Israeli leader, but it must not be adopted as a rigid operative blueprint.

Feb 21, 2020

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Michael Herzog

Articles & Testimony

The Middle East Peace Process: Analysis from a Former Negotiator

An in-depth assessment of how Washington should approach Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy at a time when the strategic foundation for American involvement has deteriorated.

Feb 12, 2020

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Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

We Need a Corrective to Old Catechisms on Peace. Trump’s Plan Isn’t It

The best ideas in the plan will be delegitimized by its overall failure, because on each count the administration has stretched a laudable principle beyond recognition.

Feb 5, 2020

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Robert Satloff

Brief Analysis

Continuity vs. Overreach in the Trump Peace Plan (Part 2): Security, Refugees, and Narratives

By granting Israel much more say over the sovereignty of a future Palestinian state and its ability to absorb refugees, the document may undermine the administration’s ability to build an international coalition behind its policies.

Feb 4, 2020

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Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

Continuity vs. Overreach in the Trump Peace Plan (Part 1): Borders and Jerusalem

If the latest U.S. effort winds up backing the Palestinians into a territorial corner from the outset, then Washington may not be able to move the process any closer to direct negotiations.

Feb 4, 2020

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

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

Supported by the

Koret Program on Arab-Israel Relations

Through moments of hope and challenge in the Middle East diplomacy, The Washington Institute's Koret Program 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 a 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 a Lafer International Fellow at The Washington Institute.

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