5 lessons for Israel from the Czech struggle for democracy
If we learn lessons from the Czech case, it becomes clear that Israeli civil society must emphasize the righteousness of its cause beyond the borders of Tel Aviv.
Leveraging Friction: Using Israel’s tensions with normalization countries to engage them in Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking
Since the signing of the Abraham Accords, Israeli governments have successfully isolated the normalization process from events in the Israeli-Palestinian arena. This separation has assisted the
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,
On the Verge of an Abyss?
Israel is located these days, since the establishment of Netanyahu’s new right-wing government, at a critical juncture, facing dramatic developments on various fronts. While the domestic arena is
Israel needs a strategic alliance with the US
Last week’s Knesset vote repealing parts of the 2005 Gaza Disengagement Law reflects the ruling coalition’s intoxication with power and jeopardizes the stability of the strategic alliance between
What are Middle East reactions to the judicial reform?
‘Israel is devouring itself from within” was the headline of an article by Saudi pundit and businessman Hussein Shobokshi in the influential Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat. Shobokshi argues that
Netanyahu Has Made Israel a U.S. Adversary
As concern in Washington is growing over Israel’s anti-democratic turn, new questions are arising about the underlying strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Such a reflection is welcome,
Israeli-Palestinian relations are deeply affected
The project of the present Israeli governing coalition to overhaul the organization and powers of the High Court will have deep implications on Israeli-Arab relations if it succeeds. Given the
The German “Zeitenwende” still goes unnoticed in Israel
A year ago, in February 2022, Chancellor Scholz delivered a policy statement in the Bundestag, as a response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He spoke about a watershed moment, which requires
Is Israel democratic? The new talking point for Netanyahu abroad
Those who have closely monitored Israel-France relations over the years often conclude that understanding them requires psychological rather than political science expertise. The relationship is
Israel’s government needs to heed US warnings
The recent visit of United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Israel will be remembered mostly for exposing US criticism of Israeli government policy, moving it from behind closed doors
The US and Jordan can work closer together on the Israeli-Palestinian issue
King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein’s White House visit on Feb. 2 reflected that Jordan is a like-minded partner for the United States when it comes to preventing an escalation of the
Israel’s new government raises the likelihood of escalation on multiple fronts
The new Israeli government is unprecedented in terms of its extremist composition and declared policy intentions. The coming to power of such a government raises the likelihood of escalation on
Israelis’ evolving pushback to democratic erosion under Netanyahu
The fight for democracy is a global one, taking place, among other corners of the world, in the United States, Europe, South America, as well as the Middle East and North Africa. When it comes to
EU Delegation to the PA propose joint development of Area C
A classified document that sets out a plan by the European Union Delegation to the Palestinian Authority proposing joint development of Area C was recently leaked. According to Channel 13
Is a formal Israeli-Saudi agreement achievable?
In recent days we have come across reports in the media, about talks promoting a possible Israeli-Saudi agreement, which took place between Israel and Saudi Arabia, even before the establishment
The Impact of the Occupation on Israel’s Foreign Relations
The UN General Assembly’s decision to seek the opinion of the International Court of Justice in The Hague on whether the Israeli occupation is permanent or temporary should not surprise
What the UN vote tells us about international sentiments and Israeli diplomacy
The recent, Dec. 30, vote at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) regarding Israel — approving a request for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to offer a legal opinion on Israeli
Area C: From a Hub of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict to a Space for “Creeping Peace”
This paper was written as part of an initiative funded by the UK government, but its views do not necessarily represent the views of the UK government. Area C of the Occupied Palestinian
A Letter of Appreciation from Prime Minister Yair Lapid for the Mitvim Institute
A letter of appreciation from Prime Minister Yair Lapid for Mitvim’s work on Israel’s foreign affairs.
The Tower of David Museum: Venue for Co-Existence
The article inquires how a cultural institute in a contested city can become an allied sphere, a source for joint creation, and even a venue for peacebuilding.
Does the Road to Peace Pass Through Prisons? The role of former and current inmates in advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace
The article points to measures that can be promoted in order to realize the potentially positive role of inmates in advancing peace.
Partnership Priorities with the EU – What (If Anything) Is Israel Missing?
This paper describes what EU Partnership Priorities (PP) are, why Israel hasn’t signed a PP agreement so far, and asks what Israel is missing out on by lacking an established set of PP with the EU.
Europol-Israel Police Operational Agreement: Enhanced cooperation with EU in combatting crime and terrorism
The Israeli Police and Europol, the European Union’s police agency, have been conducting negotiations over an operational agreement for several years. In September there was signing of end of
The Israeli Foreign Policy Index of 2022
The Mitvim Institute’s Tenth Annual Public Opinion Survey on Israeli Foreign Policy was conducted in late August 2022, exploring four areas: the Israeli foreign policy apparatus, Israel’s foreign
Women’s Peace Groups in Formal Peace Processes: Benefits of Participation, Price of Exclusion
This paper explores how women's peace organizations contribute to peacemaking efforts in Israel-Palestine. It is part of a joint project by Mitvim and the Davis Institute.
MEPPA’s Progress and Promise, One Year In
This paper assesses the current state and potential of the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (“MEPPA”), passed by Congress just after the 2020 presidential election, for
The Significance of Convening the European Union – Israel Association Council
On July 18, 2022, the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union (EU) decided to move ahead with convening the EU-Israel Association Council (AC) after a decade-long hiatus. This paper
Democratic Backsliding and Securitization: Challenges for Israel, the EU, and Israel-Europe Relations
This report analyses the illiberal trends and democratic backsliding that can be seen in both Europe and Israel, and is a product of a two year project between Mitvim, PAX for Peace Netherlands,
Leaving Illiberalism Behind: An Opportunity to Establish a New Liberal Foundation in EU-Israel Relations?
This policy paper analyzes the global surge of illiberal trends that has affected Israel and several EU member states. It considers the opportunity to strengthen EU-Israel relations on the basis
Democracy and Foreign Affairs in Israel
The following paper explores the relationship between Israel’s democracy and its foreign policy. It analyzes the state of Israel’s democracy and foreign relations, the role of Israel’s internal
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.
Environmental Organizations as Potential Players in the Peace Process
This article discusses the capacity of non-governmental organizations to use environmental issues as a platform for promoting peace in the region, especially between Israelis and Palestinians.
Energy as a Tool for Israeli-Palestinian Peacebuilding
Energy relations between Israel and the Palestinians reflects the existing relationship between the parties, but at the same time hold high potential for promoting cooperation and peace.
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
‘Peace through Health’ in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Ground for dialogue or guise for continued occupation?
Based on interviews with representatives of an Israeli human rights organization that provides health services in the Occupied Territories, this article examines the implementation of the "peace
Israel’s balancing act still not enough for Russia
Since the beginning of Russia’s war on Ukraine, Israel has been struggling with a balancing act: tiptoeing between pleasing its Western allies and keeping in check its powerful Russian-influenced
Arab-Israelis have no appetite for another wave of violence
Soon after the first terror attack last month in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba that launched the current wave of violence, Sheikh Muhammad Abu al-Qiyan, maternal uncle of the terrorist –
Russia’s Chilling Manifesto for Genocide in Ukraine
“The peculiarity of modern, nazified Ukraine is in its formlessness and ambivalence, which disguises Nazism as a desire for ‘independence’ and a ‘European’ (Western,
Negev Summit: Middle East becoming warmer, friendlier
The public elements of the Negev Summit were full of positive atmosphere, expressions of personal warmth, and mutual compliments. It did not seem as one of those summits in which concerned
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
The road to alliance in the Middle East is through Washington
The nuclear deal now brewing in Vienna places Israel and the countries of the Middle East in a much worse position than they were in 2015 when the previous agreement was signed. Iran has since
Egypt, Jordan’s close ties with Israeli officials are now out in the open
As the Russian war in Ukraine settles into a deadly routine, events in the Middle East are anything but routine. On March 18, Syrian President Bashar Assad visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE),
Dancing In Two Weddings: Israel Balances Russia and Ukraine
Every Saturday night for the last four weeks, thousands of Israelis have been gathering at Habima Square in Tel Aviv to offer their support to Ukraine. Waving signs and blue-and-yellow flags,
After 20 years, time for a new Arab peace initiative
Twenty years ago, in the midst of the al-Aqsa Intifada, Arab leaders convened in Beirut for their annual summit and adopted the Arab Peace Initiative (API). The move followed the failure to reach
Palestinian Expectations from The Biden Administration
The United States’ (US) foreign policy trend of intervention in the Middle East has long been accepted as a truism in international relations and politics. For decades, the US has demonstrated a
Israel’s delicate navigation in the Russia-Ukraine war – opinion
When considering Israel’s diplomatic maneuvering options in the face of Russia’s war on Ukraine, it is important to first take stock of the fundamental, relevant facts. The first of these is that
Can Israel Cope With the Immigrant Wave From Russia’s War on Ukraine, Jews and non-Jews Alike?
Three decades after the fall of the Soviet empire, and in the wake of Russia’s invasion, Israel is once again facing a significant spike in Jewish immigration from Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. It
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
The Real Danger of Putin’s ‘Nazi’ Slur for Ukraine, Israel and the World
“When we are told that Ukrainian nationalism and neo-Nazism are a myth, ‘propaganda invented by Russia,’ they are obviously counting on someone who is not familiar with the history of the
Is Bennett gambling Israel’s international standing away?
Two Middle Eastern leaders are now busy working to mediate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine: Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Both countries have
The bells of the liberal world toll for Israel: Why taking a stance against the invasion is both the smart and just move
Foreign policy is the art of balancing national interests with moral variables, which express a state’s values and the identity it seeks to project to the world. Israel’s position on the
Russia-Ukraine war may be a defining moment, Israel must make a choice – opinion
History is replete with defining moments, most of which are only recognized after the fact. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine could very well turn out to be a defining moment in the struggle for world
Russia’s Next Target for Intimidation Could Be Israel
As Russia pounds Ukrainian cities and flaunts its nuclear weapons, there is little doubt that the implications of the war between Russia and the West will be felt globally—and the relations
Saudi Arabia’s Engagement in the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process
During the last few decades Saudi Arabia had exercised a role of a regional coordinator between various Middle Eastern states and between them and the USA. Twice in the past it had put on the
Chechens Are Fighting on Both Sides of Russian-Ukrainian Conflict
mages of Chechen fighters preparing to join the battle in Ukraine on behalf of Russian troops spread widely on social media networks in the early days of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Ramzan
Israel Weighs Its Neutrality on Russia-Ukraine Conflict
While Western countries mull sanctions against Russia after it formally recognized the independence of two self-proclaimed republics in eastern Ukraine, Israel is busy reshaping its attitude
Making the Middle East Partnership for Peace Act a Game Changer in Israeli-Palestinian Civil Society Peacemaking
While the stagnation in the official Israeli- Palestinian peace process continues, Israelis and Palestinians working to advance peace on the civil society level are experiencing some new
What does it mean for Israel to undermine the liberal global order?
Tensions over a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine are honing a fundamental question facing Israeli decision-makers: How does the undermining of the liberal world order impact Israel and how
By threat or raw power, Russia is determined to get its way in a post-Soviet world
On March 24, 1999, then-Russian prime minister Yevgeny Primakov was en route to the US for a visit. While flying over the Atlantic, he was informed that NATO forces had begun bombing Yugoslavia
Jerusalem Tries to Navigate Russia-US-Israel Triangle Over Ukraine Conflict
The war clouds over Ukraine grow ever darker as Russian forces amass on the borders, on three sides, and Western media speculate on when exactly “D-Day” will come. Western diplomats are leaving
How Iraq became the top link in China’s belt and road strategy
Last year, Iraq became a top recipient of Chinese investment and a key link in Beijing’s Belt and Road initiative. Almost 20 years after the war in Iraq began, billions of Chinese yuan are being
Hassan Nasrallah, Master of Lebanon
In 2022, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah will celebrate 30 years as the undisputed leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon—upholding a pattern of Arab leaders who mature, age, and often die while in power. It was
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
Israeli Arab Citizens Donate Millions for Refugees in Northern Syria
“Your donations have reached #Northern_Syria. One of the largest convoys of a charitable relief campaign has been launched to reach the needy and refugees and to protect them from the winter
That other crisis
Israel-Palestine risks becoming a forgotten conflict – the world should pay attention. In January 2001, US President Bill Clinton met with President-elect George W. Bush and presented him with a
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
One step forward, one step back: International discourse on advancing Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking
Introduction The Israeli-Palestinian peace process has been locked in a stalemate since the 2014 collapse of the US mediation initiative led by then-Secretary of State John Kerry. The relations
The Ministry of Regional Cooperation
and Israeli-Palestinian Peacemaking
Among Israel’s many government ministries, one stands out in particular. It is small, its authority is limited, and many doubt its need. But it is tasked with realizing one of Israel’s greatest
Judgments by the Court of Justice of the EU on the EU’s Trade with Israel’s Disputed Territories
The EU is one of the largest trading partners of the Disputed Territories (DTs) in the world. The Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) reaffirmed the EU’s differentiation policy between Israeli
The danger of Israeli panic over Iran – analysis
The renewed talks on a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers also saw renewed Israeli hysteria as reflected in the warnings by the “government of change” against the dangers of such an
Israel can use Middle East partnerships in Palestinian peace talks
According to prevailing assumptions, when Israelis think about foreign affairs, they tend to adopt a narrow perspective and focus almost exclusively on the immediate threats to their country.
Between Israel and Iran- Putin’s Chess Game
Can President Putin be a “great friend of the Jewish people”, as Naftali Bennett called him, and at the same time sell sophisticated weapons to Iran, a sworn enemy of Israel? Bennett’s goal is to
Foreign Policy Plan for the 36th Government of Israel
On June 13, 2021, the 36th Government of Israel was sworn in, headed by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, the first government since 2009 which is not led by Benjamin Netanyahu. The Mitvim
First Saudi Arabia, Now Sudan:
Why Israel’s Normalization Strategy Is Imploding
One year and two days after the celebratory announcement that Sudan and Israel had agreed to normalize relations, Jerusalem finds itself facing a strategic dilemma in the wake of the Sudanese
Will the Sudan coup affect future ties with Israel?
The October 25 military coup in Sudan was led, surprisingly, by incumbent President Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the civilian-military Sovereign Council formed to oversee the transition
Multilateralism is the key to peace
‘It is worth remembering,” Prof. Elyakim Rubinstein wrote five years ago on the 25th anniversary of the Madrid Conference, the multilateral event that launched the Israeli-Arab peace process of
Irbil Conference: Road to normalization with Iraq long and complex
A Sept. 24 conference in the Kurdish capital of Erbil, attended by some 250-300 Iraqis, issued an unprecedented call for establishing full diplomatic relations between Iraq and Israel. News of
Hostility, incitement and the decision to improve ties with Israel
Shortly before Yom Kippur, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett held his first official visit to an Arab state, meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah a-Sisi. The invitation
The Lost Battle of Ahmad Jibril
On July 7, 2021, a few hundred Palestinians gathered to attend a funeral at Yarmouk refugee camp cemetery, on the outskirts of Damascus. They came to say their farewells to Ahmad Jibril, the
Tsunami of Crime in Israel’s Arab Sector Has People Losing Faith in the Police
‘We have a new generation of young people who do not work or study,’ Arab activist says Ninety-six Israeli Arab citizens, men, women and children, have been murdered since the beginning of 2021.
What lessons does the Trump-Taliban deal hold for Israel, Hamas?
In September 2019, on the eve of the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, President Trump and leaders of the Taliban were scheduled to meet at Camp David. The peace summit was scrapped at the
After the honeymoon, comes the hard work:
A year on, the ink has yet to dry on the Abraham Accords
The Netanyahu government took pride in achieving “peace for peace”, but the Gulf principalities are once again moving closer to Iran. Bahrain appears the only Gulf State still adhering to the
What it might take for Saudis to join normalization process
In the year since Israel’s signing of normalization agreements with the UAE and Bahrain, and subsequently with Morocco, Israelis have debated repeatedly whether Saudi Arabia would be next in
Mahmoud Abbas’s moment of truth: The road to renewed diplomacy traverses Amman and Cairo
The recent meetings between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and Defense Minister Benny Gantz, and the trilateral meeting several days later between Abbas, the King
Iran’s attacks on Israeli shipping in Gulf serves as lesson
The recent attacks on Israeli-owned and operated shipping in the Arab Gulf served as a valuable lesson for Israel. It proved the limitations of using military power in its campaign against Iran,
Why were Israel and the US not invited to the
Baghdad conference?
he Baghdad conference held on Saturday, August 28, was unusual in terms of both venue and participants. The venue was Baghdad, the host was Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, and
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
Ahead of PM Bennett’s White House visit: Six agenda items
Handling Israel’s relations with the United States, our most important ally, is one of the greatest challenges facing every Israeli prime minister. The first White House visit by an Israeli prime
The alleged American abandonment of Afghanistan
Many Israelis who do not follow events beyond our immediate neighborhood were surprised and even shocked by the American pullout from Afghanistan and its abandonment to the mercies of the
Trends in Israel’s Regional Foreign Policies, January – June 2021
Issue No. 7 Edited by Dr. Roee Kibrik and Dr. Gil Murciano Several major developments marked significant change for Israel in the first half of 2021. President Biden assumed office, Israel ramped
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
Integration into the Middle East? Let’s see you pull it off, Lapid
On his historic June 30 visit to the Emirates for the official opening of the Israeli Embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate in Dubai, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid urged other Muslim and Arab states
Israel’s ‘divide and conquer’ Palestinian policy does not serve its interests
Two months have elapsed since the military operation in Gaza, but the situation there remains volatile and dangerous. Negotiations on a return of Israeli prisoners and MIAs are stuck and Gaza’s
Renewed Partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood: Implications for Israel
On 10 May 2021, Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies, The Israeli Association for the Study of European Integration and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung conducted an
The ice cream (meltdown) threat
I thought, naively, that having got rid of Netanyahu, we would also be rid of his tendency to stir up panic over imagined or exaggerated threats to Israel in order to divert attention from the
The dangerous game of the Jerusalem flag march
Last month’s flag march in Jerusalem drew extensive attention in Israel, the Palestinian arena and the international community. Israeli policymakers were forced to decide whether to allow the
