Stopping Annexation and Advancing Normalization in Trump-World: A Framework for European Policy Makers

This document is part of a series of policy papers within a joint project of the Mitvim Institute and the Berl Katznelson Foundation, aimed at thinking about the day after the war.

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Jordanian-Israeli Food Security: A Road Map of Potential Collaboration

Food security has become a critical priority in recent years, driven by the growing impacts of global climate change. As countries develop strategies to ensure stable and sufficient food supplies, they must address key dimensions such as availability, accessibility, utilization, and resilience.

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The UAE’s Foreign Policy Anchors and Their Influence on Israel and the Region

This policy paper explores the fast-moving expansion of the UAE’s influence in the Middle East through physical control of territories and assets beyond its borders, analysing the implications for Israel, in particular, and for the regional balance of power as a whole. The paper begins by outlining a conceptual policy framework of so-called “anchors” and “grips” with unique characteristics. It then presents a focused empirical review of the infrastructure, assets, territories and other types of physical property the UAE has acquired to implement its policy in four key arenas: Egypt, Jordan, Israel and the Gaza Strip. The paper then analyzes the regional implications of this process and its specific effects on Israel including its relations with the Palestinians and concludes by proposing guiding principles to address this trend. Scholars and decision makers will find the paper relevant to political and strategic planning for Israel’s regional engagement, particularly concerning Jordan, Egypt, and the Gaza Strip. The importance of the process the paper describes lies in the scope and speed with which this transformative phenomenon is spreading and changing the regional dynamics. This shift disrupts the traditional division between bilateral and regional relations, necessitating a reassessment of how Israel manages its relationships – both with the UAE as an investor and with the neighbouring countries in which it chooses to invest.

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A “Revitalized” EUBAM Rafah? One Avenue for Eu’s Involvement in the “Day After” in Gaza

The re-deployment of the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM Rafah) emerges as one crucial component for promoting stability and governance in Gaza already during the cease-fire and in “the day after” the war. The deployment and re-deployment of international missions in conflict zones often present complex and multi-dimensional challenges that require a thorough examination of political, security, and socio-economic factors. EUBAM Rafah remains a critical focal point in efforts to stabilize the region, enhance humanitarian aid delivery, and facilitate trade. This paper aims to evaluate the opportunities and challenges associated with the re-deployment of EUBAM Rafah in the post-conflict scenario, as part of the general role the European Union (EU) can take in the aftermath of the Gaza war. The paper draws valuable lessons from several EUBAM missions, provides a practical roadmap for future engagement by outlining both immediate and long-term strategies aimed at improving border management, strengthening security measures, and supporting Gaza’s reconstruction and economic recovery, and presents a framework for understanding how an international mission can play a pivotal role in shaping a more secure and stable future for Gaza and the wider region.

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