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Israel and the Mediterranean Basin

A Blue Economy in the Eastern Mediterranean: Climate, Society and Regional Prosperity

This paper examines the differences between a blue economy and a maritime economy in the regional context of the Eastern Mediterranean. A blue economy is defined as one that improves human

The EU’s Cross Border Cooperation Program in the Mediterranean (CBC Med/NEXT MED)

The Cross Border Cooperation (CBC) is one of the European Union’s (EU) financial instruments aiming to help the neighbouring countries develop better connections and relations between them,

Israeli-Turkish Reconciliation Is a Rare Success Story of Diplomacy in the Mediterranean

On August 17, Israel and Türkiye announced they would fully normalize their ties and reappoint ambassadors and consul generals after four years. A month has passed and, for the first time since

Iran helped Turkey and Israel mend ties. Here’s how.

In June, amid the season for summer vacations, some alarming news was published about the dangers posed to Israeli tourists visiting Turkey. According to intelligence provided by Turkish and

Sports for Peace: Let Israelis and Palestinians Compete in Mediterranean Games

3,500 athletes from 26 countries began competing this week in the 19th Mediterranean Games in Algeria. For over 70 years, delegates from throughout the region have convened quadrennially, in

Implications of Israel and Turkey’s diplomatic thaw on Israel’s Mediterranean Policy

This document focuses on the challenges and opportunities for Israel's policy in the Mediterranean Basin as a result of its warming relations with Turkey.

Israel and Turkey must cooperate on climate change

Israel and Turkey are starting a new chapter in their long-standing bilateral relationship. The mutual visits by foreign ministers Mevlut Cavusoglu and Yair Lapid to Israel and Turkey followed up

Israel and Turkey must cooperate on climate change- opinion

Israel and Turkey are starting a new chapter in their long-standing bilateral relationship. The mutual visits by foreign ministers Mevlut Cavusoglu and Yair Lapid to Israel and Turkey followed up

Climate change can help bring Israel and Turkey closer

Israel and Turkey are starting a new chapter in their long-standing bilateral relationship. The mutual visits by Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu’s to Israel (May 2022) and by Foreign Minister Lapid to

Turkey FM visit to Israel a sign relations are warming

Mevlut Cavusoglu’s trip to Israel this week will make him the first Turkish foreign minister to visit the country in 15 years – the latest step in a rapprochement between the countries after

Turkish FM’s visit to Israel is a chance to unify politics- energy momentum – opinion

Wednesday’s upcoming visit to Israel by Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu, likely accompanied by Energy Minister Donmez, places the gradually improving relations between the sides on a practical

Turkish FM’s visit to Israel is a chance to unify politics-energy momentum – opinion

Wednesday’s upcoming visit to Israel by Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu, likely accompanied by Energy Minister Donmez, places the gradually improving relations between the sides on a practical

President Herzog’s Visit to Turkey: How to Proceed?

Israeli President Herzog’s visit to Ankara (March 9), for the first time since 2008, is a recent attempt to open a new page in the relations between the two countries. There have been ups

Ramadan Will Test Budding Israel-Turkey Relations: Expert

Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s historic trip to Turkey and landmark meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan were all smiles and promises. Both leaders said their countries had much

As Israel-Turkey relations shift, attention turns to Russia and Ukraine – opinion

At an important week in Israel-Turkey relations, featuring the first visit to Ankara by an Israeli president in 15 years, the two countries are trying to play a similar and surprising role in the

Regional Architecture in the Eastern Mediterranean: Challenges and Opportunities at the Current Crossroads

The natural gas discoveries in the eastern Mediterranean basin, and the strategic developments in the region over the past decade, have helped to “put it on the map,” making it a distinct

The EastMed pipeline accomplishes its strategic significance

The Eastern Mediterranean Pipeline (EastMed), which was designed to connect the gas fields in the eastern Mediterranean on a route that runs between Israel, Cyprus, Greece and from there to

Why Herzog is right to visit Turkey

“As far as I am concerned, the revelation of this visit was the tremendous admiration for Israel, the Turkish readiness to turn a new leaf in the history of the countries,” said Israeli President

The EastMed Pipeline Is Dead, Long Live the EuroAsia Electricity Project

Plan to send Israeli gas to Europe under the sea in trouble, but power grid hookup is looking good After a decade of excitement at the prospect of moving Israeli gas to Europe through the EastMed

Regional architecture that should be promoted in the Eastern Mediterranean

The Eastern Mediterranean has been consolidated over the past decade into a distinct sub-region of Israeli foreign policy. Three strategic developments led the states of the region, and Israel

Major Potential in the Israel-Cyprus Friendship From the “Israel and the Mediterranean” Working Group

The 9th meeting of the “Israel in the Mediterranean” Working Group was held on March 17, 2021 at the initiative of the Mitvim Institute, Hebrew University’s Davis Institute for International

Lines in the Sea: How resolution of Israel and Lebanon’s
maritime dispute could set a regional precedent

For a few brief weeks in the autumn of 2020, Israeli and Lebanese officials met in Naqoura, Lebanon, a small border town nestled on the high cliffs overlooking the Eastern Mediterranean. Their

Involving Lebanon in the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum

Attempts to resolve the maritime border dispute between Lebanon and Israel are in constant flux. In the latest development, Lebanon’s President Aoun has rejected the unilateral Lebanese expansion

Greece and Cyprus can play a modest role in advancing
Israeli-Palestinian peace

In March 2021, the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum held its first meeting as a recognized international organization. Delegations from member countries – including Cyprus, Egypt, Greece,

Israel and the Mediterranean
A New Space for Regional Belonging
Meeting Summaries from a Research and Policy Group

Introduction The Eastern Mediterranean has attracted significant attention over recent years. New economic opportunities and geopolitical developments are contributing to this trend and are

Greece, Cyprus, and the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process

For decades, the US operated as the central mediator between Israel and the Palestinians. However, after decades of stalled negotiations, it is likely that future peacemaking efforts will be

Israel’s Strategic Interests in the Eastern Mediterranean

**The article was published by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) as an FES Southern Perspective publication The Eastern Mediterranean emerged in the last decade as a new focus of Israeli strategic

The Biden administration can help
mend ties between Turkey and Israel

Following President Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump, there have been a flurry of reports that Turkey is courting Israel in the hopes of resolving their diplomatic dispute. Turkey’s timing

Supercharged: The EuroAsia Interconnector and
Israel’s Pursuit of Energy Interdependence

Contemporary analysis of Eastern Mediterranean geopolitics tends to focus on the discovery of offshore hydrocarbons, and how a desire to maximize commercial profits has spurred a realignment of

Israel-Turkey Relations Are Not Only About
Erdoğan and Netanyahu

The final days of 2020 raised hopes that Israel and Turkey may be on their way to improve ties, despite policy differences and lack of trust. “Turkey wants better ties with Israel”, said Turkey’s

Israel in the Mediterranean: Policy Questions and Answers

 A Policy paper based on a meeting of the “Israel in the Mediterranean” working group. This paper presents insights and recommendations from a policy workshop of the “Israel in the Mediterranean”

Israel’s Regional Foreign Policies: An Annual Assessment, November 2020

The Mitvim Institute presented its annual assessment of Israel’s regional foreign policies at its fourth annual conference on October 28, 2020. The conference was held in cooperation with the

Will Biden Help Israel Take on Turkey?

Gabriel Mitchell, towards the U.S elections

Israel-Lebanon Maritime Border Negotiations: Cautious Optimism but No Bells of Peace

Op-ed by Amb. (ret.) Michael Harari

The Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum: Cooperation in the Shadow of Competition

Gabriel Mitchell, Research, September 2020-

Israel and the conflicts in the Mediterranean Basin

working group, September 2020

DEBATE: How Serious Is the Israeli-Turkish Rapprochement?

Ambassador (Ret.) Michael Harari, BESA online debate, August 2020

Israel and the Mediterranean Basin Amid the Coronavirus Crisis

Policy paper based on a meeting of the “Israel in the Mediterranean” working group, June 2020

COVID-19 Put the Eastern Mediterranean’s Hydrocarbon Dreams on Hold

On Tuesday, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will do something pretty unusual in the age of COVID-19 — travel overseas. Mitsotakis will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in

The Eastern Mediterranean: A New Diplomatic Arena for Israel

For decades, Israelis tended to perceive themselves as living in a hostile region and as being doomed for isolation in their neighborhood. The changing realities between Israel and Arab

Israel and the Environment in the Mediterranean Basin

This paper focuses on climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin and the challenges and opportunities which it presents Israel. It is based on the main points raised at the fifth meeting

The 2019 Israel-Turkey Policy Dialogue of the Mitvim Institute

In September 2019, the Mitvim Institute held its annual Israel-Turkey policy dialogue, for the eighth consecutive year. The dialogue took place in Istanbul and Ankara, in cooperation with

Challenges and Opportunities for Gaza: A Mediterranean Perspective

The Gaza Strip constitutes a unique point of convergence of regional politics, a military and political conflict, a humanitarian crisis, international legal issues, environmental and energy

The Diplomatic Potential in Developing Gaza’s Offshore Gas Field

Israel, Hamas and Egypt have long been debating whether to move ahead with an arrangement on Gaza and how to do so. The Palestinian Authority (PA) has to a large extent been excluded from this

Forget the East-Med Pipeline: Advantages of Alternative Options to Transport the Easter Mediterranean Gas

In recent years, Israel, Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, Greece and Italy promoted the idea of constructing a long pipeline to transfer gas from Israel and Cyprus to Europe. It

Israel and Energy in the Eastern Mediterranean

This paper focuses on the role of energy in shaping Israel’s policies towards the Mediterranean. It is based on the main points raised at the fourth meeting of the research and policy group on

Israel-Morocco Cooperation in 2019: Warming from the Bottom Up

A 2018 paper entitled “Israel and Morocco: Cooperation Rooted in Heritage”, written within the framework of the Mitvim Institute’s project on the unfulfilled potential of Israel’s relations with

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

The Interests of Eastern Mediterranean States and Israeli Policies

This paper scans the interests and activities of Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt in the Mediterranean Basin – their varying and competing interests, their points of convergence and cooperation,

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

Israel, Energy, and the Eastern Mediterranean: Shaping a New Regional Foreign Policy

This paper explores the nexus between Israel’s energy policy and foreign policy interests in the Eastern Mediterranean. While regional energy cooperation has the potential to be one of the most

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,

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

Guiding Principles for Israel’s Foreign Policy toward the Eastern Mediterranean

In recent years, the Eastern Mediterranean has become a central focus of world powers, of states in the Middle East, Europe, and beyond, and of international corporations. Regional geopolitical

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

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

The 2018 Israel-Turkey Policy Dialogue of the Mitvim Institute

In October 2018, the Mitvim Institute held its annual Israel-Turkey policy dialogue, for the seventh consecutive year. The dialogue took place in Istanbul, in cooperation with

Israel and Turkey: Insights from a Policy Dialogue in the Midst of a Crisis

The recent escalation in Gaza highlighted once again the crisis in Israel-Turkey relations. A harsh exchange of tweets between the spokespersons of Turkey’s President Erdoğan and Israel’s

EastMed Gas Pipeline Must Overcome Major Obstacles

Israel’s Minister of National Infrastructures Energy and Water Resources Yuval Steinitz has announced that the governments of Israel, Greece, Cyprus, and Italy have reached an agreement to

Welcome to the New Normal: Israel and Turkey’s Turbulent Relations in the Post-Reconciliation Era

In June 2016, Israeli and Turkish negotiators announced that they had reached the terms of a reconciliation agreement that would end six years of downgraded diplomatic ties between their

Israel and Morocco: Cooperation Rooted in Heritage

About one million Moroccan Jews currently live in Israel and tens of thousands of Israelis visit Morocco every year for tourism purposes, business or family visits. This reality leads Israel and

A Port in Cyprus Can Help Resolve Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis

The Gaza Strip poses a great challenge to Israel – in particular its fragile humanitarian situation, which has been an item on the Israeli decision-making table for a long time, especially since

Israel-Morocco Relations: Opportunities to Advance Cooperation

On 18 July 2018, the Mitvim Institute held a workshop on Israel-Morocco relations, based on research by Einat Levi, which was conducted as part of Mitvim’s project of the unfulfilled potential of

Israel: The Second Largest Moroccan Diaspora in the World

Einat Levi in YaBiladi

Civil Society in Action – Promoting Sub-Regional Cooperation Between CSOS as a Way Forward?

Eastern Mediterranean states are facing numerous domestic challenges to their democratic institutions. The region is highly heterogeneous in terms of these challenges. But there are also common

Eastern Mediterranean Regional Dynamics: Conflicts and Opportunities for Conflict Resolution Support

Diplomatic engagement between countries in the Eastern Mediterranean presents the opportunity for greater regional cooperation on a range of issues, including policy, security and economic

The Israel-Turkey Crisis and the Need for Containment

The evolving crisis between Israel and Turkey has yet to lead to an official downgrade of official ties between both countries. However, it raises a warning sign against such a development, which

The Eastern Mediterranean: New Dynamics and Opportunities for Cooperation

On 25 April 2018, Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies and the EuroMediterranean Study Commission (EuroMeSCo) hosted a public event in Jerusalem on New Dynamics and

Time for an Israel-Turkey Dialogue on Syria

Iranian involvement in Syria is increasing, bolstering Israeli motivation to influence Syria’s reality. Israel has carried out successful military moves in recent years in order to preserve its

The Eastern Mediterranean: New Dynamics and Potential for Cooperation

New dynamics are taking place in the Eastern Mediterranean. Signs of increased political cooperation between different countries, new opportunities for economic cooperation due to natural gas

Insights from the 2017 Israel-Turkey Policy Dialogue of the Mitvim Institute

The Mitvim Institute’s annual Israeli-Turkish policy dialogue was held in Istanbul on 26-27 October 2017, for the sixth consecutive year. It focused on the state of Israel-Turkey relations

New Euro-Mediterranean Dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean

The Dialogue Workshop “New Euro-Mediterranean Dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean” was held on November 10th 2017 in Athens as part of the EuroMeSCo Network’s ENI Project, co-funded by the EU

The Israel-Turkey Deal Could Benefit the Palestnians

An extended period of strained relations has finally ended with a series of lengthy negotiations that culminated in the recent Turkey-Israeli deal in June 2016. The crucial point in the

Turkey and Israel: A Chronicle of Bilateral Relations

As someone who personally experienced the first downgrading of diplomatic relations between Israel and Turkey in 1981, and kept close track of the second downgrading in 2010, I naturally feel

The Israel-Turkey Deal Could Benefit the Palestinians

An extended period of strained relations has finally ended with a series of lengthy negotiations that culminated in the recent Turkey-Israeli deal in June 2016. The critical point in the

Turkey-Israel deal: A key to long-term reconciliation?

Turkey and Israel have finally restored diplomatic relations based on a reconciliation deal signed on June 28, 2016, following six years of a tumultuous negotiation process. After agreement on

Turkey-Israel deal: A key to long-term reconciliation?

Turkey and Israel have finally restored diplomatic relations based on a reconciliation deal signed on June 28, 2016, following six years of a tumultuous negotiation process. After agreement on

Terror Hits Turkey

The New Year’s Eve attack in Istanbul does not bode well for 2017 in Turkey, signifying the continuation of the rise in terrorism the country has been experiencing in the past few years.

The risks and rewards of Israeli-Turkish energy cooperation

At a press conference in Rome on June 27, 2016, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel had reached a reconciliation agreement with Turkey. Israel’s premier stated

The Path to Normalization between Israel and Turkey

It was July 3, 2016, only a few days after the security cabinet had convened in Jerusalem and approved the reconciliation agreement between Israel and Turkey. The bow of the Lady Leyla ship

Turkish-Israeli Relations: Crises and Cooperation

Several factors have always played an important role in Turkish-Israeli relations since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1949. First of all, both countries have been in the

Eastern Mediterranean: Do Not Write Off States Just Yet

Do not write off states as power brokers in the Eastern Mediterranean maritime arena just yet. It is easy to do so.  Great powers (past, present and aspiring) as well as non-state actors seem to

Policy Recommendations for Israel-Turkey Reconciliation

Engaged in a series of policy dialogues since 2012, Mitvim – the Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies and the Global Political Trends (GPoT) Center believe that after the signing of

Why the coup in Turkey wasn’t successful

It usually happens once a decade. The Turkish army, or elements within it, decides to challenge the country’s authorities. The generals explain this as a need to preserve democracy or

Israel-Turkey: Where to from Now?

After years of negotiations that produced sporadic headlines but few results, Israel and Turkey finally reached terms for reconciliation on June 27. While relations will not return to the “love

Supporting Israel-Turkey Reconciliation

Turkey-Israel relations experienced several peaks and valleys in the last six decades, yet the dominant narrative between the two countries emphasized their shared strategic interests in the

Israel and Turkey on the Verge of an Agreement

Israel and Turkey have been conveying to their publics positive messages about progress in the bilateral negotiations toward a reconciliation agreement. Expectations are that a deal may be

Erdogan keeps changing the rules of the Turkish political game

Ahmet Davutoglu was apparently the ultimate crony. He has served since 2003 as Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political right-hand man, first as foreign policy adviser to the prime minister, after

Disaster diplomacy: The attack that brought Israel and Turkey closer

Normalcy lacked in recent years in the relations between Israel and Turkey and should not be taken for granted It is difficult to look for the bright side of tragic events such as the recent

Time to seal the Israel-Turkey deal

NIMROD GOREN, SYLVIA TIRYAKI Turkey and Israel face a unique opportunity: to reconcile after five years of stagnant bilateral relations. We, leaders of Israeli and Turkish think tanks that have

Time to seal the Israel-Turkey deal

Turkey and Israel face a unique opportunity: to reconcile after five years of stagnant bilateral relations. We, leaders of Israeli and Turkish think tanks that have been working together since

Is Turkey’s War on Terror A Consequence of the Iran Deal?

The deal negotiated by the P5+1 with Iran on its nuclear program has been heralded by supporters as a historic agreement and regional game-changer. Much of the international criticism thus far

Turkey: The almost mediator state

Most analysts today consider Ahmet Davutoğlu’s “zero problems with neighbors” strategy a failure, and typically cite Turkey’s decision to lend its support to the Muslim Brotherhood during the

Turkey: The Almost Mediator State

Most analysts consider Davutoğlu’s “zero problems with neighbors” strategy a failure, and typically cite Turkey’s decision to lend its support to religious conservative movements like the Muslim

The US role in Israel-Turkey relations

Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies and Global Political Trends (GPoT) Center held their 5th policy dialogue on March 23rd, 2015, in Washington D.C. The event which was

Israel-Turkey Relations after the War in Gaza

On November 20th, 2014, Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies and the Global Political Trends (GPoT) Center held their 4th policy dialogue. The dialogue took place in

What is the role of Israel in Turkey’s political universe? A Q&A with Dr. Emre Erdoğan

Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan’s anti-Israel comments during Operation Protective Edge were driven by domestic concerns, including the August 10th Presidential elections; But Turkey needs to be

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