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Israel and the Middle East

Trump Distances Peace, and Bahrain is Just the Tip of the Iceber

The White House announcement that it was convening an economic workshop in Bahrain appeared to mark the launch of a significant US move unveiling the Trump plan we have been hearing about – under

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

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

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

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

Israel and Egypt: Strategic Partnership, Civil Remoteness?

This article describes the relationship and cooperation between Israel and Egypt, and discusses the impact of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on them. It focuses on the current political and

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

Tunisia and Its Relations with Israel Following the Arab Spring

The Israeli discourse surrounding regional cooperation tends to focus primarily on the Gulf States and on security issues; as such, it often overlooks more moderate and pro-Western countries in

A Better Way for the International Community to Benefit the People of Gaza

The situation in Gaza is horrific. Actually, worse than that. Gazans have been deprived of electricity, water, jobs and salaries; they were stripped off their self-respect and parental authority,

THE JERUSALEM POST

Will Energy be the Next Point of Israeli-Egyptian Convergence?

The mid-January regional meeting in Cairo, during which a new regional gas forum was announced by seven Eastern Mediterranean countries, illustrates the promising political potential embedded 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

THE JERUSALEM POST

The End of the Struggle Over Syria

US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the remaining American troops from Syria came as a surprise, but the writing was on the wall already in April, when the he announced his intention

THE JERUSALEM POST

Israel and the United Arab Emirates: Pending Opportunities

Op ed by Dr. Moran Zaga, December 2018

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

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

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

Holocaust Studies in Morocco?

Einat Levi in the Morocco World News

Israel and the United Arab Emirates: Opportunities on Hold

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is well known for its economic power and moderate Islam, and for its increasing involvement in regional developments throughout the Middle East, including the

גלובס

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

Mahmoud Abbas’ Interest is to Topple Hamas

It is impossible to isolate the recent escalation of tension between Israel and the Gaza Strip from the stalemate in the internal Palestinian reconciliation process. From the current perspective,

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

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

The Quest for a Long-Term Ceasefire in the Gaza Strip

The attempts by officials in the Middle East and beyond to find the formula for a long-term ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, attest to the complexity of the problem that emerged over a decade ago,

Photo: Yossi Zamir

The Oslo Agreement was Assassinated with Rabin

Surprisingly for what is considered a failed peace treaty, the 25th anniversary of the Oslo Agreement received significant media coverage. Most of it, as can be expected, was onesided,

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

The Boiling Water of the Red Sea: Power Struggles and Israel’s Interests

The Red Sea basin includes 12 states with a combined population of around 300 million. On the eastern shore lie Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Israel share the Gulf of

Israel in an (Un)Changing Middle East

The Middle East is a confusing area. On the one hand, it is highly volatile, with frequent changes throughout the region and in the domestic affairs of its countries. On the other hand, many

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

What Israel can learn from Morocco’s multiculturalism

Einat Levi on +972 magazine

Voices of Peace in Saudi Arabia

A serious overview of the Saudi media, as recently done by some MEMRI reports, shows a considerable improvement in the Saudi media’s treatment of Israel. These voices are important since they

Are Ties between Israel and Bahrain Warming?

The participation of an Israeli delegation in the 2018 annual UNESCO International Conference held in Bahrain corresponds with the various headlines on Israeli-Bahraini relations during the past

Israel and Iraq: Taking the Civilian Path to Improve Relations

This research examines the potential for cooperation between Israel and Iraq, the largest Arab country to Israel’s east. Iraq is changing and is undergoing reconstruction following a series of

Israel-Iraq Relations: Opportunities to Advance Cooperation

On 17 May 2018 the Mitvim Institute held a workshop on Israel-Iraq relations, based on a research by Dr. Ronen Zeidel, which was conducted as part of Mitvim’s project of the unfulfilled potential

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

Netanyahu Is Actively Courting the Iranian People, but There Could Not Be a Worse Messenger

The Islamic Republic of Iran soon turns 40. Since 1979, the U.S. has been the primary ideological target of Iran’s enmity. Recently, we’ve seen the rhetoric heating up, with Iran’s

Exploring New Bridges between Regional Rivals: Overview of a Dialogue Channel between US-Based Israeli and Iranian Experts

Since 1979, Israel and Iran have engaged in a decades-long cold war against one another. However, the signing of the JCPOA in 2015 – freezing Iran’s nuclear program for a minimum 10-year period –

A New Mideast in Familiar Clothing

Slowly but surely, with the help of Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, President Bashar Assad is regaining control over Syria. The process is still underway, but all the regional actors realize that

Netanyahu’s New Iran Approach: YouTube Diplomacy

Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership style always includes dramatic warnings about threats to Israel. For more than a decade now, Israel’s prime minister warns that Iran – in particular its nuclear

Israel: The Second Largest Moroccan Diaspora in the World

Einat Levi in YaBiladi

Israel and Saudi Arabia: On the Way to Normalization?

The tectonic changes in the Middle East since 2011 have created the foundation for a significant rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Alongside their strategic security partnership,

The Israeli Foreign Policy Index for 2018

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

Doctor, Minister, Soldier, Spy: Tehran’s Man in Tel Aviv

On June 15, the Israeli state prosecution indicted a former minister, Dr. Gonen Segev, for spying for Iran. Israeli authorities arrested him about a month earlier. His arrest and indictment were

Laying a Civil Foundation for Cooperation between Israel and Iraq

The graduation ceremony of the Department of Hebrew Language at Baghdad University is considered one of the best on campus. In 2010, at the height of the evening, a female graduate interpreted

Israel and Saudi Arabia: From Foes to Potential Friends

The Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman, is fed up with the Palestinian leadership. “Over the past 40 years, the Palestinian leadership has repeatedly missed opportunities and rejected

The Unfulfilled Potential of Israel’s Relations with Arab Countries

On 29 May 2018, the Mitvim Institute and the Leonard Davis Institute held a joint conference devoted to the unfulfilled potential of Israel’s relations with Arab countries. The conference took

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

Post Iran Deal: Israel and the Post-American Era

Of the many formidable foreign policy questions facing Israel as it celebrates its 70th anniversary, the most auspicious is how the Jewish State should adapt to a multipolar world. The urgency to

The President’s Speech and the Prospects of an Iranian-Israeli War

The evening US President Donald J. Trump took the United States out of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), it smelled in Israel as if war was coming. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut

Israel-Jordan Cooperation: A Potential That Can Still Be Fulfilled

The history of Israel-Jordan relations displays long-term strategic cooperation. The formal peace agreement, signed in 1994, has become one of the pillars of the political-strategic stability of

Changes in Domestic Palestinian Politics and Their Influence on Israel and the Middle East

On May 7th 2018, the Mitvim Institute and the Program for Middle East Studies at the Yezreel Valley Academic College held a conference that focused on the changes in the Palestinian domestic

The JCPOA Crisis and Israeli-Iranian Relations

Much of the discourse on the future of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear agreement between the P5+1 powers and Iran, has centered broadly on two issue sets. The first

Netanyahu’s Attempt to Delink Israel-Arab Relations from the Palestinian Issue

Research by Dr. Yuval Benziman, April 2018

Beyond Judo: The Routinizing Effect in Israel-Morocco Relations

Einat Levi in the Morocco World News

Recommendations for Improving Israel-Jordan Relations

Israel and Jordan have recently reached understandings to overcome a bilateral crisis, triggered by the incident at the Israeli embassy in Amman on July 2017. These understandings enabled the

Netanyahu’s Attempt to Delink Israel-Arab Relations from the Palestinian Issue

The claim that emerged in 2000 that Israel has “no Palestinian partner” to negotiate with on the final status agreement has become a fixture in the Israeli public discourse ever since.

The Fruits of Israeli-Jordanian Peace Are Still Waiting on the Tree

After a six-month diplomatic crisis between Israel and Jordan, a new Israeli ambassador – Amir Weissbrod – is expected to arrive in Amman soon to fully resume the embassy’s operations. This will

THE JERUSALEM POST

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 JERUSALEM POST

A Diplomatic Blueprint for Israel vis-à-vis Syria

Following the infiltration of the Iranian drone into Israel’s air space and Israel’s retaliation, the public discourse in recent days focused mainly on the security aspect and the various ways to

Preventing an Israel-Iran Escalation in Syria via Diplomacy

After an Iranian drone entered Israeli airspace 10 February 2018, Israel responded by striking Iranian and Syrian targets in southern Syria. Anti-aircraft fire led to the downing of an Israeli

Israel-Jordan Reconciliation: Better Late Than Never

Six months after an Israeli security guard killed two Jordanian citizens (his attacker and a second man who was shot accidentally), the solution for the crisis which marred relations between the

Israel, Kurdish Independence, and the Palestinians

On the eve of Kurdistan’s referendum, the international community is rife with speculation about what the vote will mean for the future of Iraq, the fight against ISIS, regional dynamics with

Happy Holidays? Not in the Middle East

How does the Middle East look on the eve of Rosh Hashanah 5778? One can point to a number of important changes that took place over the past year: * The Islamic State is about to disappear

THE JERUSALEM POST

Trump Should Not Play Politics with the Iran Nuclear Deal

The adversarial US-Iranian relationship has many dimensions, including Syria, Yemen, the Gulf and terrorist financing. But the primary threat from Iran is nuclear. Prior to the Joint

Sanwar and Dahlan: An Egyptian-Brokered Alliance against Abbas

The renewed relationship between the Hamas leader and the former Fatah strongman, who grew up together in the Khan Younis refugee camp, proves that the key for creating change in the Palestinian

The 2017 Israeli Foreign Policy Index of the Mitvim Institute

The annual public opinion of the Mitvim Institute on Israel’s foreign policy was conducted, for the fifth consecutive year in mid-September 2017. It was carried out by the Rafi Smith Institute,

Progressive Policymaking in a Changing Region: Trilateral Strategic Dialogue

Policymakers face a new reality in the Middle East, including post-Arab spring security challenges and the changing roles of Russia, the US, and other powers in the region. Trends, including

The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and Israel’s Relations with the Middle East, Europe, and the US

The Israeli public thinks that the continuation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict significantly damages Israel’s foreign relations with the Middle East and Europe, and that the Israel-US

Briefing Summary: Israel-Jordan Relations

On 22 March 2017, the Mitvim Institute hosted Dr. Abdullah Swalha for a briefing on Jordan’s foreign policy and its relations with Israel. Dr. Swalha, founder and director of the Center for

Is Israel’s Regional Opportunity Becoming More Concrete?

As President Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia drew near, the Wall Street Journal reported a new initiative originating from the Gulf states vis-a-vis Israel: Should Israel take steps to promote

Trump’s Visit to the Middle East

Donald Trump made his first foreign trip since taking office to the Middle East. In May 2017 he visited Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority. Throughout his regional tour, the US

The Arab Peace Initiative is the Greatest Missed Opportunity in Israel’s History

The anniversary of the most important peace initiative ever put forth in Israel is marked by no celebration. Not even a small family gathering. For 15 years it has been set on the table, clear,

THE JERUSALEM POST

No Shortcuts to a Regional Breakthrough

Prime Minister Netanyahu succeeded in injecting his regional approach into the policy vacuum that characterizes President Trump’s first weeks in office. Since 2014, Netanyahu has declared at home

A Multi-Regional Israeli Foreign Policy

Israel has come to see its geo-political location in a negative light, mostly as a result from the Arab-Israeli conflict and its subsequent regional isolation. As a consequence, it has developed

The Gulf States’ Foreign Policies: Summary of a briefing with Dr. Karen E. Young

On December 29th , 2016 the Mitvim Institute and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung hosted Dr. Karen E. Young of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington for a briefing titled “The Interventionist

Time for an Israeli Regional Initiative

On July 20, 2016, the Knesset Lobby for Regional Cooperation held a conference at the Knesset, in cooperation with the Mitvim Institute, on the need for an Israeli regional initiative that can

Mosul – the Battle for the Middle East

The attack of the Iraqi army – reinforced by Kurdish and United States forces – on Mosul is not just another military operation against “the Islamic State” (also known as ISIS, or Daesh). The

The cost of energetic independence: Israel’s natural gas challenges

Gabriel Mitchell, a doctoral fellow in government and international affairs at the University of Virginia Tech, discusses with host Gilad Halpern how Israel balances security interests and

The 2016 Israeli Foreign Policy Index

Findings of the Mitvim Institute Poll, October 2016  The annual public opinion of the Mitvim Institute on Israel’s foreign policy was conducted, for the fourth consecutive year in late August

THE JERUSALEM POST

Israel – no longer people dwelling alone

The stalemate between Israel and the Palestinians, Iran’s growing influence, acts of terrorism by jihadi Islamic organizations, the collapse of Arab countries after the Arab Spring, and the

The Israeli return to Africa

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent visit to Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda in July 2016 was the highlight of intense diplomatic activity aimed at strengthening relations between

Cooperation between Israel and the Arab world

Israelis see high importance in advancing cooperation with Egypt, while cooperation with the Palestinian Authority is of low priority. This is the main finding from a public opinion poll

The Egypt-Saudi Agreements: Policy Analysis and Regional Implications

The first visit by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman to Egypt has led to the signing of significant agreement between the two countries. The visit and its consequences signal a new phase in the

Egypt and Saudi Arabia: A Predictable Rapprochement

Saudi Arabian King Salman’s five-day visit to Egypt and the extensive media coverage it garnered are an expression of the warming of ties since al-Sisi became president in June 2013. Morsi’s

THE JERUSALEM POST

Saudi Arabia: Lynchpin of the moderate axis in the Middle East

Saudi Arabian king Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s five-day visit to Egypt is an expression of the warming of ties between the two countries since Abdel Fattah Sisi became president of Egypt in

Egypt and Saudi Arabia’s island diplomacy

The Egyptian transfer of the islands of Tiran and Sanafir in April 2016 to Saudi Arabia can be understood from at least four separate perspectives. First, the agreement between the parties is

The Threat From Iran Has Been Greatly Reduced

Pessimists, like Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, say that the deal between Iran and major powers to curb its nuclear capabilities will only enhance Iran’s threat, by lifting

When Bahrain Once Welcomed Israelis

The late Yossi Sarid was one of the most active, committed Israeli politicians to promoting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Yet his rich career in public service brings to mind one

Israel’s Strategic Outlook in a Disintegrating Region

Israel finds itself surrounded by a region in turmoil and transition. The collapse of neighboring states, the emergence of regional powers and the U.S. withdrawal as the security guarantor of the

Israel’s Strategic Outlook in a Disintegrating Region: Trilateral Strategic Dialogue

Israel finds itself surrounded by a region in turmoil and transition. The collapse of neighboring states, the emergence of regional powers and the U.S. withdrawal as the security guarantor of the

How can Israel help the Syrian people?

The fact that Israel came into existence at the expense of a Palestinian state has been the cause of much hostility between Israel and its Arab neighbors and was the reason for many armed

The 2015 Israeli Foreign Policy Index

Findings of the Mitvim Institute Poll, September 2015 Since 2013, Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies publishes an annual index covering a variety of issues related

A Changing Discourse on Israel in the Arab World

Dr. Abdullah Swalha, Director of the Center for Israel Studies in Jordan, was the keynote speaker at a symposium held by Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies on 13

With Sissi, Egypt Sees a Return of the Pharaohs

On August 6, the new Suez Canal was inaugurated with great pomp and circumstance. In honor of the historic event, there were two ceremonies, attended by both Egyptian and foreign dignitaries,

The Nuclear Deal with Iran: Commentary & Analysis

The deal reached between Iran and the six world powers is likely to have significant implications for Iran’s role in the region, Israel-US relations, domestic American politics, Israel’s foreign

The Islamic State’s Sinai Attack: Commentary & Analysis

On 1 July 2015 an unprecedented attack was launched by an Islamist organizations affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) against Egyptian military targets in the north of the Sinai Peninsula. This

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