“Vaccine Dealers” Have Forgotten Morality
The Covid-19 crisis expanded global diplomacy’s soft power toolbox. The absence of effective international cooperation in fighting the virus, in large due to a lacking American leadership and
How to Improve Israel’s Regional Foreign Policies?
Summary of the Mitvim Institute’s Pre-Election Conference
Ahead of the general elections, the Mitvim Institute held a conference on March 9, 2021, which assessed Israel’s current foreign policy and presented goals and directions for future action. The
Changing the Equation: International Incentives
for Israeli-Palestinian Peace
How can the international community advance peace? Leaders and diplomats have pondered this question for years with regard to conflicts and wars around the world. International incentives for
Foreign Policy Issues in Israel’s Current Election Campaign
For better or worse, we are not alone in this world. Opportunities, challenges, threats, friends, partners and rivals abound outside Israel’s borders – and no border can completely separate
Coronavirus: Israel must vaccinate our Palestinian neighbors
Time and again Israel demonstrates its incredible capabilities at the professional level – of civil servants, the private sector and the nonprofit sector, alongside with the failure at the
Do the Abraham Accords open up new energy opportunities?
The signing of the Abraham Accords and warming ties with Saudi Arabia open up many and varied regional cooperation opportunities for Israel. A key cooperation opportunity lies in the field of
The Two-State Solution Won’t Save Itself, Mr. President
During the last four years of Trump administration, many important words and concepts such as “human rights” or “two-states solution” were effectively omitted completely
ICC investigation is Israel’s wake-up call
The decision of the International Criminal Court in The Hague that it has jurisdiction over the Israeli-Palestinian context arouses a variety of tormenting, yet conflicting, thoughts and
How Biden should handle Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Joe Biden began his term as US president at a time when the Israeli-Palestinian peace process was in a deep and continued stagnation. The Trump administration’s policies on
How did Zionist symbol KKL-JNF become an organization that hurts Israel?
Many of us still remember the blue Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund in which our parents would toss coins in order to “redeem the Land of Israel” and fulfill the Zionist dream. Then,
Israel Pragmatically Responds to Global Changes,
but Without a Vision
Since its independence, Israel’s foreign policy had to cope with changes to the international balance of power in an attempt to find the most relevant superpower to rely on. The strategic
It is time to make peace with Egypt
The news of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s planned visit to Egypt came shortly after popular Egyptian singer Mohamad Ramadan became the most hated person in his country; Ramadan was pictured
The Toll of Democratic Regression on
Israeli Foreign Policy
When democrat Joe Biden beat populist Donald Trump, the world seemed to sigh in relief. However, now more than ever it is important to remember that many in the US and elsewhere still subscribe
A Thank You Letter to Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi
The leaders of the Blue and White party have earned the widespread criticism of their political conduct. Nonetheless, I wish to take this opportunity to thank Gabi Ashkenazi for his performance
The Culture of Sciences: Bridging the Gaps
Between the Emirati and Israeli Research Systems
Research collaborations between Israel and the UAE is a touchstone to scale the nature of the relations between them. Academic, scientific, and technological cooperation was explicitly mentioned
Between a Rock and a hard place
It seems a just resolution of the Palestinian issue is the minimum that Pakistan will settle for if it is to recognize Israel. Following the series of agreements between Israel, the United Arab
Israeli Progressives should reach out more to their international partners
The progressive camp in Israel has been trying for years to find its way back to the corridors of power and influence. So far unsuccessfully. Those seeking ways for change often wonder whether
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
Trump officially made Israel part of the Middle East
In one of its final decisions, the Trump administration moved Israel from the purview of the Pentagon’s European Command (EUCOM) to the Area of Responsibility (AOR) of the US Central Command
Biden, It’s Time to Promote Israeli-Palestinian Peace
It has been only a few days after President Biden entered the Oval Office until senior officials of his voiced clear statements about the administration’s Israeli-Palestinian policy. Secretary of
Israel, Iran: Now is the time to test if détente can be reached
The last few months have witnessed a dramatic shift in the geopolitical balance of the Middle East. Normalization between Israel and multiple Arab states has altered the heart of the historic
Addressing Needs, Promoting Peace: A Proposal for an
International Incentives Package for Israeli-Palestinian Peace
A Policy Paper Based on Deliberations by a Team of Israeli and Palestinian Experts. Edited by Dr. Lior Lehrs, with Moien Odeh, Dr. Nimrod Goren, Huda Abu Arqoub. Incentives are an important tool
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
The Importance of International Partnerships
for Israel’s Progressive Camp
The progressive camp in Israel has been trying for years to find its way back to the corridors of power and influence, so far unsuccessfully. Those seeking strategies and tactics for change often
Initial Biden Administration Policy Steps to Advance
Israeli-Palestinian Peacemaking – Summary
This document summarizes recommendations for initial policy steps that the Biden Administration could take to advance Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking. It identifies nine key goals for the new
How Israel-EU relations have been impacted
by Germany’s Council presidency
From July to December 2020, Israel had a window of political opportunity: Germany’s six-month period at the presidency of the Council of the European Union handed Israel an opportunity to improve
Israel’s Relations with Arab Countries:
The Unfulfilled Potential
An Electronic Book edited by Dr. Roee Kibrik, Dr. Nimrod Goren, Merav Kahana-Dagan. Israel’s Relations with Arab Countries: The Unfulfilled Potential examines relations between Israel and seven
Initial Biden Administration Policy Steps to Advance
Israeli-Palestinian Peacemaking
This document presents recommendations for initial policy steps that the Biden Administration can take to advance Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking. It describes the current state of play in the
The Broader Drivers of Biden-era Israeli-American Relations
Much of the discussion in Israel about the future of US-Israel relations in the wake of the new administration focuses on a narrow set of issues: President Joe Biden’s personal feelings toward
New antisemitism hates Jews, loves Israel
During Joe Biden’s presidential confirmation, the entire free world watched in horror and fear at the onslaught of incited crowds on the sanctuaries of American democracy – the Senate and House
Promoting Democracy and Peace Will Bring Israel
Closer to the Biden Administration
Israel’s special relationship with the US is a cornerstone in Israel’s foreign policy and national security. In recent years, alongside Prime Minister Netanyahu’s close bond with outgoing
Now is the time for female leadership in Israel
Now is the time to recognize the importance of female leadership for Israel to thrive in the modern world. On January 24th, the primaries for chairperson of the Labor Party will be held. The
Semi-annual trends in Israel’s regional foreign policies with Arab states
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. In July-December 2020, we
Israel and Morocco: Major Potential for Warm Peace
The establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Morocco is not without precedent. In fact, the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1994 following Israel’s peace agreements
Progressive politics in the Middle East: Israel and the region
The Abraham Accords that were signed recently between Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can be equalled to a tip of an iceberg: much more is laying beneath the surface. These
The Israeli right: authoritarianism and ethnic supremacy
To understand Israel properly, one must get to know the political right, its characteristics, components, and the changes it has undergone in recent years. The right has been in power since 1977,
Abraham Accords does not solve Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israel’s newly established relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco are a welcome development signaling a paradigm shift. The working assumption for decades was that
The fallacy of Netanyahu’s Iran policy
Iran’s recent decision to begin enriching uranium to 20% purity is alarming but it should come as no surprise to anyone following Teheran’s nuclear policy since Donald Trump took office in
How Did Israel-EU Relations Evolve During
Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the EU?
Between July to December 2020 Israel had a political window of opportunity: Germany’s six-month period at the Presidency of the Council of the EU. It handed Israel an opportunity to improve its
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
Restoring Iran nuclear deal is good for Israel
he Biden administration, to be sworn in on January 20, will have to deal with many urgent issues at home and abroad and to repair the rubble left behind by the Trump administration. For Israel,
Sa’ar’s exit is Likud’s chance to redefine ideological boundary
The exit of Gideon Sa’ar and the formation of a new party with defectors from the Likud has the potential for a redefinition of the ideological camps on the political map. Creating a political
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”
Opportunities and Challenges for Israel-UAE
Economic Cooperation
Israeli-Emirati economic ties have been developing continuously since the 1990s, setting the stage for the recent Abraham Accords and the partnerships that have begun to flourish as a result.
After UAE, Bahrain normalization,
will ties with Egypt, Jordan improve?
The establishment of peaceful relations between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco introduces a new model of normalization, highlighting warm receptions between the people
Netanyahu’s cooperation with far Right, Islamists unsurprising
Many were surprised by the recently formed alliance between Mansour Abbas, chairman of the Ra’am Party, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which included Abbas’s announcement that he is happy
With Mladenov’s Departure, Who Will Prevent the Next War in Gaza?
The next time Israel and Hamas come to blows and need someone to hold them in check, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov will no longer be there to help
The importance of understanding complexity
in other countries
The failures in foreign policy decision-making often stem from the natural difficulty in understanding the complexities of other countries. We tend to treat each country as a unified,
What are Trump’s last Israel policy moves before he leaves?
The Trump administration is taking advantage of the transition period to advance several final policy moves pertaining to Israel. These include the visit by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to the
Will Saudi Arabia Pick Up the Mantle?
Yonatan Touval on Modern Diplomacy
It’s time to empower Israel’s Foreign Ministry
Dr. Nimrod Goren on Jpost
Reclaiming Israel as a bipartisan issue in American politics
Dr. Ilai Saltzman on The Times of Israel
Civilian cooperation between Israel and Arab states: How does it work?
A research by Dr. Roee Kibrik and Einat Levi
How Israel Is Triggering a Royal Civil War in Saudi Arabia
Prof. Elie Podeh on Haaretz
The UAE’s Stability from an Outsider’s Perspective
Dr. Moran Zaga on Qposts
Donald Trump’s legacy leaves behind poisoned gifts for Israel
Op-ed by Nadav Tamir on Jpost
Regional Cooperation: Government Practices
A research by Ksenia Svetlova and Mor Yahalom
Trump’s Middle East legacy: The good, the bad and the ugly
Op-ed by Prof. Elie Podeh on Jpsot
Biden could generate momentum for Israeli-Palestinian peace
An article by Dr. Nimrod Goren for the Middle East Institute
Biden’s victory, Erekat’s death teach valuable lessons for peace camp
Nadav Tamir on Jpost
Trump’s Mideast legacy: The good, the bad and the ugly
The termination of Donald Trump’s presidency signals the end of an era in US involvement in the Middle East with its attendant good, bad and ugly aspects. The Trump Administration is said to have
Israel, the UAE and Bahrain: A different kind of peace
In the weeks since the historic August 13 declaration of diplomatic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, followed by a declaration of diplomatic ties with Bahrain, it has become
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
How can Israel mend relations with White House following political change?
Nadav Tamir on Jpost
The Not-So-New Kid on the Block
Amb. Ret. Barukh Binah on The Times of Israel
Israel and the European Union: Enemies, A Love Story
Policy paper by Amb. (ret.) David Walzer
Israel must prepare for a change in US policy toward Iran
Nadav Tamir on Jpost
The turning point for normalization was in 1993, not 2020
Prof. Elie Podeh on Jpost
UNSCR 1325: IMPLEMENTATION IN TURKEY AND ISRAEL
Policy paper published by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung
Normalizations with Israel bring new challenge for Palestinians
Dr. Ido Zelkovitz on Jpost
Resumed American Leadership, Perhaps
Amb. Ret. Barukh Binah towards the U.S elections
How will the Post-Election Israel-EU-US Triangle Shape Up?
Dr. Maya Sion-Tzidkiyahu on JPOST, towards the US elections
How will the post-election Israel-EU-US triangle shape up?
Dr. Maya Sion-Tzidkiyahu towards the US elections
Advancing the peace process depends on civilian ties
Einat Levi on Jpost
Israel, American Jews and the Democratic dichotomy
Nadav Tamir, towards the U.S elections
Israel, the Middle East and Joe Biden
Ksenia Svetlova, towards the US elections
Sudan’s economic interests tipped scales
Op-ed on Jpost by prof. Elie Podeh
Will Biden Help Israel Take on Turkey?
Gabriel Mitchell, towards the U.S elections
A win-win approach for Israelis, Palestinians is a two-state solution
Nadav Tamir on The Jerusalem Post
The Palestinian Issue as Ground and Ceiling for Arab-Israeli Cooperation
A new research by Thair Abu Ras
Trump is bullying Sudan into embracing Israel. It won’t end well
As the Trump administration seeks to clinch another diplomatic breakthrough ahead of the November election, it has zeroed in on Sudan. Exerting heavy pressure on it to normalize relations Israel,
Israel-Lebanon Maritime Border Negotiations: Cautious Optimism but No Bells of Peace
Op-ed by Amb. (ret.) Michael Harari
Making a desperate attempt to decipher Trump’s foreign policy
Nadav Tamir on The Jerusalem Post
Advancing Israeli-Arab Peace Depends on Civilian Ties
An op-ed by Dr. Roee Kibrik and Einat Levi
Mitvim signed a cooperation agreement with the UAE think tank Trends Research & Advisory
TRENDS-Mitvim press release
What does the US election have to do with Middle East peacemaking?
Dr. Lior Lehrs on The Jerusalem Post
Israel in the Middle East: A year of achievements and one big failure
Prof Elie Podeh on The Jerusalem Post
A Window of Opportunity in Israel-EU Relations
Op-ed
EU Diplomacy and the Arab-Israeli Conflict: How Can Europe Effectively Promote Peace?
Conference Summary
Tourism is the key for civic ties between Israel and the MENA region
Einat Levi on The Jerusalem Post
Multilateral Platforms Built Framework for Ties with Israel
Dr. Moran Zaga on The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington
The Potential for Israel–UAE Cooperation
Dr. Moran Zaga at LSE blog
The coming out of the Israel-Bahrain clandestine relationship
An article published on the Jerusalem Post
The Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum: Cooperation in the Shadow of Competition
Gabriel Mitchell, Research, September 2020-
Netanyahu’s ‘Brilliant’ Mideast Peace Strategy Has a Big Problem
Op-ed, Prof, Elie Podeh, September 2020
The agreement may have advanced Shimon Peres’ vision of peace
An op-ed published on The Jerusalem Post
Israel and the conflicts in the Mediterranean Basin
working group, September 2020
The United Arab Emirates: Profile of a state on the move
An op-ed published on The Jerusalem Post
If UAE deal ushers in pro-peace leaders its achievement will be strategic
An article published on The Jewish News
The Real Reasons Israel Showed Solidarity With Lebanon After the Beirut Blast
When disaster struck in Lebanon on August 4th, killing dozens, injuring thousands and causing widespread devastation, Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi
