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
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
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
Trump and Netanyahu’s Barefaced Gaslighting on the Israel-Kosovo Deal
The announcement that Israel and Kosovo have agreed to establish diplomatic relations is a welcome development for both nations. But as is often the case with Israel’s leadership, this
What Netanyahu failed to learn from the Arab Spring
Prof. Elie Podeh, Op-ed, August 2020
Peace? Sure. End of Conflict? Hardly
Many Israelis were watching the first civilian–albeit not yet commercial—flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi and checking out the rates of hotel in Dubai, when the reality had knocked on their
UAE also wants good ties with US Jewish lobby
Prof. Elie Podeh, Op-ed, September 2020
The Foreign Ministry deserves support from the Knesset
Op-ed by Dr. Ehud Eiran
How the UAE and Saudi Arabia Now Hold Israel Hostage
Prof. Elie Podeh, Op-ed, August 2020
UAE, Israel Deal Could be Just the Beginning
Ksenia Svetlova, Op-ed, August 2020
The way Israel dealt with BDS played into the hands of its enemies
Nadav Tamir, Op-ed, August 2020
DEBATE: How Serious Is the Israeli-Turkish Rapprochement?
Ambassador (Ret.) Michael Harari, BESA online debate, August 2020
To recognize or not to recognize: EU recognition of Palestine
Op-ed by Dr. Lior Lehrs
Ashkenazi revitalized the IDF, now he can do the same to Foreign Ministry
Op-ed by Dr. Ehud Eiran
Who Decided Trump Was Good for Israel?
July 2020
The EU and Israel Should Resume Their Suspended High-Level Dialogue
July 2020
Israel won’t become part of the Middle East until the occupation ends
The chance of Israel’s re-admittance to the Middle East lies in its ability to show initiative, originality and flexibility of thought. Only by attempting sincerely to solve the Palestinian
Why Israel Should Avoid Annexation
July 2020
Israel Should Deepen its Engagement with the UN
July 2020
It Is Time for the Arab League to Act Against Annexation
July 2020
Israel is entangled in UAE-Palestinian rivalries
Prof. Elie Podeh, Op-ed, July 2020
Israel Entangled in Arab Rivalries: The Case of the UAE Medical Aid for the Palestinians
June 2020
What Is the UAE Trying to Tell Israelis?
Op ed by Dr. Moran Zaga, June 2020
Foreign Service Closing-Out Sale: Gilad Erdan’s Dual Appointment to UN and Washington
The tumult over the installation of Israel’s 35th government and the division of 36 ministerial and 16 deputy ministerial portfolios drowned out news of Gilad Erdan’s dual diplomatic appointment.
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
Avoiding a small annexation will not prevent the larger occupation
Israel’s mythic foreign minister, Abba Eban, once quipped that “history teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives.” His insight presumed that
War and Peace in the Age of Coronavirus
Against the backdrop of the Coronavirus crisis, Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin spoke with the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, saying the crisis “does not distinguish between
Israel and the US: Is the Special Relationship Still Special?
What would a change in the US administration in January 2021 bode for Israel? Does the symbiosis in the relationship between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu attest to a historic high in
Hope and Optimism Should be Key Pillars of Israel’s Foreign Policy
June 2020
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
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
Now Is the Time for an Israeli Diplomatic Initiative, Not Annexation
Israel has always had trouble effectively formulating a diplomatic initiative that balances its given (and favorable) strategic-diplomatic circumstances with its long-term national interests. Now
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
Israel and Qatar Focus on Shared Interests, Setting Aside Differences
In the shadow of the Coronavirus outbreak, Qatar is once again throwing a lifeline to the Gaza Strip and establishing itself as the Palestinians’ sole savior. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad
Israel-Iraq Cooperation in 2019: Security Challenges and Civilian Warming
The final months of 2019 were marked by widespread, prolonged protests throughout Iraq. The demonstrations, centered in Baghdad, targeted the ruling political elite and the state backing it:
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
Israel, the EU and Annexation Intentions
Israel has been increasingly critical of the EU in recent days, as multiple European leaders are voicing their opposition to a possible Israeli annexation in the West Bank. The Israeli response
Seven reasons for not annexing West Bank territories
In its coalition agreement with the Likud, the Blue and White Party under the leadership of Benny Gantz has given a seal of approval to annexing parts of Judea and Samaria. According to the
The Political Situation in Iraq: An Opportunity for Israel?
On April 9, Mustafa al-Kadhimi was tasked with forming a new Iraqi government after two other candidates, Mohammed Tawfik Allawi and more recently Adnan al-Zurfi, failed to win enough
The EU in Times of Coronavirus: A View from Israel
The Coronavirus crisis and its impact on Europe has re-ignited the argument over the EU’s future prospects. While the Coronavirus crisis is global, each state has adopted its own coping strategy.
Now is the time for the EU to put all of Hezbollah on its terror list
It happened at last. Germany finally announced on Thursday it has designated Lebanese Hezbollah a terror organization, banning all of its activities in the nation. Germany – and other European
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
In Israel: Of Corona and Politics
Like everywhere in the world the coronavirus pandemic caught us by surprise. During the last week of February we all heard about it but the Government did not take it seriously. It took another
This Day of Independence, We Are in Danger of Risking the Zionist Dream
The corona crisis is sidelining the true threat to the Zionist vision of a democratic homeland to the Jewish People. The threat is the legitimization of annexation which is included in the
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
Israeli annexation talks threaten ties with Arab world
The issue of possible Israeli land annexation in the West Bank has become an endless source of spin for Israeli politicians. The hard-line right-wing Yamina party is accusing the right-wing Likud
Israel and Qatar Focus on Shared Interests, Setting Aside Differences
In the shadow of the Coronavirus outbreak, Qatar is once again throwing a lifeline to the Gaza Strip and establishing itself as the Palestinians’ sole savior. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad
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
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
Gaza Helps Israel and Qatar Find Common Ground
According to Israeli media reports, the heads of the Mossad and of the IDF’s southern command secretly visited Qatar in early February. The visit validates comments made to me by a Qatari senior
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
Qatar’s friendship is good for Israel
The leak of a secret visit to Doha by Mossad Director Yossi Cohen and GOC Southern Command Maj. Gen. Herzi Levi last month to pressure Qatar to keep funding Hamas in Gaza confirmed what Qatari
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
Positive signs in Israel-Egypt relations
Since President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi’s rise to power in 2014, Israeli-Egyptian ties have been marked by defense-strategic cooperation, based on the shared perception of Iran and radical Islamist
Coronavirus Outbreak: An Important Test for Globalization
The quick-fire coronavirus spread and the response of different countries to it, not only highlight immediate concerns about public health, but also have a significant impact on the evolving
Attacking the EU for Domestic Political Gains is Wrong
No one in Israel was particularly surprised when the EU’s new foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that Israeli annexation of territories would not go “unchallenged”. Foreign Minister Israel
The Solution to Gaza is a Diplomatic One
So, what do we do about Gaza? Every new round of violence generates a marathon of media interviews with the usual suspects mouthing the usual platitudes – Israel must rehabilitate its deterrence,
The “Netanyahu Factor” Driving Israelis to the Polls
Israelis have gotten used over the years to governments that do not complete their full terms. But, they never experienced repeat elections prior to 2019. The current political deadlock is
No preelection gifts from Arab leaders to Benjamin Netanyahu
At the annual Munich Security Conference in mid-February, the most important event of its kind – to which Israel did not bother send a single senior representative this year, Saudi Arabian
A new type of peace in the Middle East
With Washington trying once again to randomly sketch new Middle East maps, intellectuals, politicians and Arab journalists are dreaming of a fundamental change in attitudes and true normalization
Moving on from Trump’s plan for the Middle East
Trump’s vision for Israeli-Palestinian peace was supposed to be the ultimate gift for Netanyahu’s electoral campaign, rather than the ultimate deal for Israeli-Palestinian conflict resolution.
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
Peace-Spoilers or Negotiation Partners? Netanyahu’s Understandings with Hamas
How should Israel relate to Hamas? How directly should it engage with an organization whose rule over Gaza makes it a key player in any negotiations towards an end to the Palestinian-Israel
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
Israel Needs a Real Peace Plan
As someone who has dealt with Israel-US relations for almost his entire career, it is clear to me how important American leadership is for us to reach an agreement with the Palestinians. The US
The Trump Plan: Not the Way to Advance Israeli-Palestinian Peace
Following the publication of the Trump plan, Mitvim Institute experts argue that this is not the way to advance Israeli-Palestinian peace. This document includes initial commentaries by Nadav
The Trump Peace Plan: Not Even an Opportunity
It is a special event when a peace plan for the resolution of the Israeli-Arab conflict commissioned by an American president is launched. But true to President Donald Trump’s record, his peace
Sorry, Jared, This Time It’s Not the Palestinians Who Have ‘Screwed Up,’ It’s You
Prof. Elie Podeh, January 2020
The international community should say no to the Trump plan
President Donald Trump’s Israel-Palestinian blueprint is neither a peace plan nor “best for Israel” (as some in Israel have claimed). On the contrary, it reportedly runs counter to previous
Remembering the Holocaust: 75 Years After the Liberation of the Camps
So, I was hiding in the heap of dead bodies because in the last week the crematoria did not function at all. The bodies were just building up higher and higher. So there I was at night time; in
Recommendations for restarting Israel-Jordan relations
Some 25 years after the historic peace agreement between Israel and Jordan was signed the time has come to restart the strategic relationship between the states and fuse the written words with
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
Academia is also turning its back on peace
Tel Aviv University has decided to close its Tami Steinmetz Center for Peace Research. Two reasons led to the closure, according to the university and the donor family: the fact that the subject
The PA’s shrinking space for freedom of expression
At the beginning of Mahmoud Abbas’s presidency, many in the international community placed their hopes in him, seeing him as a leader who could build a pluralistic Palestinian society. But that
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,
When Israelis and Palestinians Meet at the European Parliament
Less than a month before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Brussels, we – a group of young Israelis and Palestinians – arrived at the European Parliament for a second meeting of 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,
The Palestinian Foreign Service at a Time of Diplomatic Freeze
The annual commemoration of the UN’s vote on 29 November 1947 for the partition plan provides an opportunity for the Palestinian Foreign Service and the Palestinian President to shine a global
When Israel Smiled at the World, the World Smiled Back
“In the last decade of the twentieth century, atlases, history and geography books no longer present an up-to-date picture of the world. Walls of enmity have fallen, borders have disappeared,
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,
The Lesson for Israel from the US Abandonment of the Kurds
President Trump has hastily dispatched his Vice President Pence for urgent talks with President Erdoğan. These talks may have produced a 120 hours pause in the Turkish onslaught into the Kurdish
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
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
The Resignation of Jason Greenblatt, the Peace Envoy Who Did Not Broker
President Trump’s Middle East envoy Greenblatt was very different from his predecessors. While leading US mediators and envoys were generally experienced in diplomacy and foreign policy, as well
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
