Improving Israeli Foreign Policy

Hope and Optimism Should be Key Pillars of Israel’s Foreign Policy

June 2020

Initial policy recommendations for Foreign Minister Ashkenazi – opinion

Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi should lead a process of fixing the country’s regional foreign policies. In his first months in office, he should convey messages and take actions to improve

A Letter to Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi

Honorable Foreign Minister, Lt. Gen. (res.) Gabi Ashkenazi. I know you are scheduled to move on to the Defense Ministry in 18 months, but I think you would have far greater influence and

Recommendations for Israel’s New Foreign Minister: Initial Policy Messages

Israel’s new foreign minister should lead a process of fixing Israel’s foreign policy. This paper presents recommendations for messages he can convey and actions he can take to improve Israel’s

The Coronavirus Crisis Offers Opportunities for Innovative Israeli Diplomacy

Like so much else, official diplomacy has shifted to virtual communications since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is an opportunity for Israeli diplomacy to lead a new type of

Structural Shifts and Regional Security: A View from Israel

Israel is still holding to its traditional security maxim. Based on a perception of a hostile region, Israel’s response includes early warning, deterrence and swift – including pre-emptive –

A Very Israeli Pandemic Response

As in other countries, COVID-19 has exposed the weaknesses particular to Israel society and governance. These shortcomings are not revelatory. Instead, the coronavirus’ spread shines a spotlight

The Foreign Ministry on the Frontlines of the Coronavirus Crisis

Several days ago, thousands of families in Israel were given good reason for relief: After long, tense days, their loved ones had returned to Israel thanks to a combined operation by our national

The World Can Overcome the Coronavirus Crisis by Working Together

Humankind is facing yet another crisis. The Coronavirus pandemic has stopped the world as we knew it. We are living through growing uncertainty about tomorrow, fear and anxiety about death. What

Coronavirus crisis opens opportunity for shifting Israeli foreign policy

At present, there is no end in sight for the novel coronavirus crisis and we do not know its repercussions for the future. Despite this, it is not too soon to start thinking about possible

Israel Needs a Diplomatic Strategy

Israeli political parties and their candidates for the premiership have for years barely mentioned foreign policy in election campaigns – as if the issue is unimportant, as though Israel’s

Strengthening international systems, lesson learned from coronavirus

After we beat the novel coronavirus, we will have to rebuild international systems and strengthen democracies. The prevailing view that dictatorships deal better than democracies with

Set Israel’s Foreign Ministry Free from Quarantine

More and more Israeli diplomats are finding themselves in quarantine these days, due to the Coronavirus crisis. These include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MFA) director general and

Israel-Egypt Cooperation in 2019: Strategic Warming, Civilian Coolness?

Since President Abdel Fatah a-Sisi’s rise to power in 2014, Israeli-Egyptian ties have been marked by defense-strategic cooperation. This is based on the shared perception of Iran and radical

Israel and Qatar: Relations Nurtured by the Palestinian Issue

This article focuses on relations between Israel and Qatar, analyzing them in historical context, in the context of Qatari foreign policy and in terms of their potential and the limitations

The Interests of Global Powers in the Mediterranean and Israeli Policies

This policy paper sets out the various interests and goals of global powers (the US, Russia, China and the EU) in the Mediterranean, and the measures they are undertaking to implement them. The

Israel Election Results Give Reason for Israel-Arab Dialogue

The results of the Israeli election did not give a clear majority to any of the sides, but they still yielded a dramatic result. For the first time, a majority in the Knesset – from Lieberman’s

Assessing Israel Katz’s First Year as Foreign Minister

In February 2019, Israel Katz was named Israel’s interim foreign minister, and three months later his appointment became permanent. This ended a period of almost four-years without a fulltime

Revisiting Arab Peace Initiative is best hope to solve Israel-Palestine conflict

The “deal of the century” is here, and so is the simmering, century-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Although the publication of the details of President Trump’s peace initiative has not so far

The Gulf States’ Changing Attitudes towards Judaism: A Cultural Revolution in the Making

Dr Muhammad al-Issa’s unprecedented visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp on 23 January 2020, the 75th anniversary of its liberation, marked a peak in a process of interfaith momentum that

Gas forum a diplomatic opportunity for Israel

A new international organization was born in the Mediterranean on January 15. In parallel to the joint statement by the Israeli and Egyptian energy ministers on the start of Israeli gas exports

Ten trends in Israel’s regional foreign policies July-December 2019

Every six months, the Mitvim Institute maps key trends in Israel’s regional foreign policies, based on the institute’s monthly reports that monitor ongoing developments. From July through

Trends in Israel’s Regional Foreign Policies, Vol. 4

This document outlines major trends in Israel’s regional foreign policies over the past six months. It is based on the Mitvim Institute’s monthly reports that cover ongoing developments in the

Israel’s foreign policy mustn’t be sidelined by energy interests

On January 2, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will reportedly sign an agreement to export Israel’s natural gas via the proposed EastMed pipeline via Cyprus and Greece to Europe. The accord,

Presentation of findings to senior Foreign Ministry forum

Briefing on findings of the Foreign Affairs Policy Index, December 2019

Israel’s Regional Foreign Policies: An Annual Assessment

The Mitvim Institute 3rd annual conference provided an annual assessment of Israel’s regional foreign policies. It was held in Tel Aviv on 14 November 2019, in cooperation with the

Israel-EU relations: An annual assessment

The prevailing, negative attitudes in Israel toward the EU, as reflected in the 2019 Israeli Foreign Policy Index of the Mitvim Institute, differ greatly from the facts on the ground. The

Time for Diplomatic Optimism

Israel has been conducting itself like a state struggling for survival ever since its establishment, and even more so in recent years, despite its indisputable standing as a regional power. While

The Limited European Leverage over Israel

Israel and the EU maintain exceedingly close relations with each other. The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner and has extensive cultural and political ties to the country. Despite this,

Guiding Principles for a New Israeli Foreign Policy Paradigm

Mitvim policy guide lines

The 2019 Israeli Foreign Policy Index of the Mitvim Institute

The seventh annual public opinion poll of the Mitvim Institute on Israel’s foreign policy was conducted in September 2019. It was carried out by the Rafi Smith Institute and in cooperation with

Israel’s Regional Foreign Policy: An Annual Status Assessment

The Third Annual Conference of the Mitvim Institute, November 2019

The Democracy Component in Israel’s Relations with Arab State

Something good is happening in relations between Israel and the Arab world, as evidenced by more frequent visits of senior Israeli officials to Arab capitals and conciliatory remarks about Israel

Exaggerated Disappointment on the Silver Jubilee of the Israeli-Jordanian Peace Treaty

The 26th of October marked the silver jubilee of the Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty. The media emphasized the fact that no formal celebrations were held on both sides of the Jordan River. Indeed,

After 25 Years of Peace, Israel-Jordan Relations Need a Restart

Jordan will not celebrate this month’s 25th anniversary of the festive signing of the historic peace agreement with Israel in Wadi Araba. The winds of reconciliation that blew at the time, the

The Real Danger that Brexit Poses for Israel

When Israelis ask what Brexit means for them, many will think of economy and trade, and about diplomatic relations with Britain and Europe. These are important, but in considering Brexit’s

Members of Knesset Can Help Improve Israel’s Foreign Policy

120 Members of Knesset (MKs), veteran and new, are now starting their term in the 22nd Knesset. In the near future, assuming a new government will actually be formed, they will build a

Democracy and Foreign Policy in Israel

On 11 June 2019, the Mitvim Institute and the Davis Institute held a conference at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem on democracy and foreign policy in Israel. It included sessions on democracy,

Israeli Election Analysis: Netanyahu’s Dominant Grip is Coming to an End

While the Israeli elections results do not yet provide clarity regarding the identity of the next prime minister or the composition of the next government, they do indicate that Netanyahu’s

Attending the IDEA Annual Conference: The Center for Liberal Democracy

Attending the IDEA Annual Conference, December 2019

The Israeli Elections and the Global Competition between the Liberal and Non-Liberal Camps

The giant posters adorning the Likud party’s headquarters in Tel Aviv, showing party leader and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu shaking hands with Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and

Israel’s Foreign Service Is Being Weakened and We Are All Paying the Price,

Would we ask a farmer to grow crops without water? Would we ask a surgeon to operate without a scalpel? Would we send a soldier into battle without a rifle? If not, then why are diplomats being

Empowering Israel’s Foreign Service via Modern and Innovative Diplomacy

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is crying out for change more than ever before. The decade-long tenure of Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister has plunged this key government agency,

Democracy is Essential to Israel’s National Security

Israel’s democratic qualities have played an important role in its military achievements over the years. This lesson arises not just from Israel’s wars, but also from 200 years of global great

The Israeli Foreign Policy Index for 2019

The 2019 Israeli Foreign Policy Index

Expo 2020 Dubai: An Opportunity for Israel-Gulf Relations

While Israel was excited to host the Eurovision competition in May, in the Arab Gulf States, international events are held almost on a daily basis. One of the most prestigious of them is Expo

An Economic Workshop in Bahrain, With No Political Horizon

The June 25-26 economic workshop planned by the Trump administration in Bahrain is an attempt to put the economic carriage before the diplomatic horse. History shows that most international

Europe’s Far-Right Is Blocked, for Now; Israel Should Help This Continue

The May 2019 elections to the European Parliament have blocked the storming of the continent’s parliament and of the EU’s institutions by the far-right, for now. However, the conservative and

What Do Closer Lebanon-Cyprus Energy Ties Mean for Israel?

Interesting developments have occurred recently in the Mediterranean Basin. On April 11, the foreign and energy ministers of Cyprus and Lebanon met in Beirut and agreed to accelerate their

The Perils of Netanyahu’s “Monarchic Diplomacy”

Prime Minister Netanyahu used foreign policy as major theme in the 2019 election campaign. Giant billboards depicted him standing alongside President Trump. His aides pointed to his diplomatic

Recalibrating the Course of Israel-EU Relations

The formation of a new Israeli government provides an opportunity to rethink the course of Israel’s policy vis-à-vis the EU. Israel-EU relations need to be handled differently, in a manner that

Israel’s Former Diplomats Are a Wasted National Resource

Security issues dominate the public and political discourse in Israel. During the 2019 election campaign, parties have been boasting of having some general or other on their roster of Knesset

The Israeli Election Results and Israel’s Foreign Policy

Benjamin Netanyahu won Israel’s election and declared he would form a new rightwing government. This will affect diverse aspects of Israel’s foreign policy. This document includes commentaries by

Israel Should Advance an International Initiative to Support Gaza

The political, security, humanitarian and economic crisis in the Gaza Strip has been on the Israeli, regional and international agenda for many years now. However, the disengagement from the Gaza

What Should Israel’s Next Foreign Minister Do?

Eight years ago, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak warned that Israel would face a diplomatic tsunami unless it re-engaged in the long stalemated peace talks with the Palestinians. Later on, Tzipi

Pompeo, the Israel-Greece-Cyprus Alliance, and the EastMed Pipeline

As the Purim holiday arrives, many are looking forward to a break from the country’s exhausting election cycle. But for Prime Minister Netanyahu, Wednesday evening was an opportunity to reinforce

Stable but Tepid: The Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty After 40 Years

On March 26, 1979, Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty – the first between Israel and an Arab state. Many Israelis were disenchanted when the treaty did not result in normalized bilateral

Lessons from Tunisia on the Jewish Bridge to the Arab World

During the Oslo years, Israel experienced a period of openness in its trade and diplomatic relations with many Arab states. These days, there are those who are quick to describe Israel’s secret

The Role of Former Diplomats in Israel’s Public Sphere

In Israel, former diplomats do not tend to play a significant public role. However, they have the potential to make a real contribution to improving the public and political Israeli discourse on

Who Benefits from the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum?

The Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum, launched in mid-January in Cairo, features a development of political importance which is a direct result of the natural gas discoveries in the region in

Trends in Israel’s Regional Foreign Policies, July-December 2018

Issue No. 2, July-December 2018 Editors: Dr. Roee Kibrik and Dr. Nimrod Goren This document briefly outlines major trends in Israel’s regional foreign policies over the past six months. It is

Alternative Directions for Israeli Foreign Policy on the Eve of an Election Year

The Mitvim Institute’s second annual conference took place in Tel Aviv on December 30, 2018. The conference explored alternative directions for Israeli foreign policy towards the April 2019

Trends in Israel’s Regional Foreign Policies vol. 2

This document briefly outlines major trends in Israel’s regional foreign policies over the past six months. It is based on the Mitvim Institute’s monthly reports that cover ongoing developments

Israel and Egypt: A Strategic Axis in the Regional Landscape?

The recent violent escalation in Gaza, that led to the resignation of the Israeli minister of defense and to a public uproar against the government’s handling of the Hamas movement, have

The Spring of Israel’s Relations with its Arab Neighbors

In the past few weeks it seems that Arab and Muslim countries have been competing with each other over Israel. Following news on back-channel intelligence ties with Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister

Israel’s Renewed Affair with Oman

The official visit of Prime Minister Netanyahu and Mossad chief Yossi Cohen to Oman turned the spotlight on this distant principality in the Gulf that is unfamiliar to most Israelis. Perhaps it

Israel and Jordan: A Looming Crisis That Should Be Prevented

Less than 10 months after the resolution of the previous Israeli-Jordanian crisis, a new crisis may be sparked by King Abdullah’s recent decision not to renew the two annexes to the

The 2018 Israeli Foreign Policy Index

The sixth annual public opinion poll of the Mitvim Institute on Israel’s foreign policy was conducted in September 2018. It was carried out by the Rafi Smith Institute and in cooperation with

Why Israel Needs a Strong Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was once one of Israel’s crown Jewels. Managing Israel’s foreign relations and the exposure that the office of the foreign minister offered, attracted

Towards an Increased Role for the Knesset in Foreign Affairs: Summary of a Knesset event held by the Mitvim Institute and the Caucus for Strengthening Israel’s Foreign Service

On May 22, 2018, the Mitvim Institute and the Caucus for Strengthening Israel’s Foreign Service held a joint event at the Knesset on how to increase the role of the Knesset in Foreign