Josefin Herrmann speaks with Dr. Gil Murciano, CEO of Mitvim, the Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies, about Israel three years after October 7 and how much the country's upcoming
The agreement between the Board of Peace and Hamas (July 2026) was achieved with the close assistance of Egypt and Muhammed Dahlan, who exerted pressure and convinced Hamas leadership to accept
To defeat Hamas, Israel should have employed the counterinsurgency strategy developed over the past 80 years since World War II.
“Netanyahu deve tenere insieme due esigenze contrapposte, evitare uno scontro con Trump e allo stesso tempo non apparire come il leader che concede un ritiro da Gaza senza garanzie sul disarmo di
A durable transition in Gaza will require phased disarmament, trusted verification, civilian recovery and reciprocal Israeli and Palestinian commitments.
"Spesso Hamas lascia trapelare concessioni del genere per premere per l’ulteriore ritiro israeliano, che l’attuale coalizione di governo a Gerusalemme, sotto elezioni, è molto difficile accetti",
."The involvement of international actors requires at least a minimum level of political stability"
The article focuses on the tens of millions of tons of rubble across the Strip, and on the possibility of turning waste into a resource for sustainable rebuilding.
"Die Beteiligung internationaler Akteure setzt voraus, dass zumindest ein Mindestmaß an politischer Stabilität geschaffen wird".
This document presents the main trends that characterized Israel’s regional foreign policy and foreign relations during January–June 2026.
At the conference "The Trump Peace Plan: From Stagnation to Action", led by the Arava Institute and the Mitvim Institute, former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, former Acting Prime Minister Tzipi
When our author first visited Sarajevo, he thought he had come to learn about constitutional models. Instead, he left with a different lesson. We no longer have the excuse of ignorance. We have
The near-total collapse of Gaza’s health system represents a catastrophic institutional breakdown that simultaneously offers a historic, post conflict window of opportunity to leapfrog from a
The Iron Swords War, which broke out after the October 7, 2023, massacre, led to regionally and internationally unprecedented levels of infrastructure destruction in the Gaza Strip.
This article presents the evolution and determinants of Israel-Turkey relations, reviews the strained ties in the wake of October 7 and the war in Gaza, identifies to ousting of Bashar al-Asad in
This document examines the problem of waste in the Israeli-Palestinian space, and its cross-border ramifications.
A crisis within Netanyahu's coalition, a Knesset on the verge of dissolution, a Gaza under expanding occupation and a West Bank on the edge – Israel heads into an uncertain election season with
»Sa’ar und Netanyahu distanzieren sich immer nur dann, wenn eine internationale rote Linie überschritten worden ist«, sagt Gil Murciano, Direktor der israelischen Denkfabrik Mitvim.
This document focuses on the roles of Israeli and Palestinian civil society (in Gaza and the West Bank) at the present moment, in promoting the necessary transition from war to reconstruction
This paper argues that the reconstruction of Gaza will depend not only on the amount of funding mobilized, but on how financing is structured, governed, and anchored within a broader political context.
This document analyzes the expected scenarios in the Gaza Strip and the anticipated challenges for the technocratic committee’s activity and proposes principles for action and concrete and
As part of the Trump administration’s “20-Point Plan,” the international community is preparing for a large-scale reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. For Israel, this process presents a
This paper argues that the reconstruction of Gaza cannot succeed without Palestinian agency, rights, and meaningful participation. Drawing on comparative experience and field based insights, it
The twenty-first century confronts humanity with an unprecedented constellation of interrelated challenges and crises – environmental, economic, social, political, technological – that together
The US twenty-point peace plan that marked the end of Gaza War created an opportunity to break the political stalemate in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and advance major moves. Yet, progress
This paper analyzes how the October 7 attack and the ensuing multi-front and Gaza war reshaped the region within the broader context of global power competition, inducing intra-Western fractures.
At the invitation of the United Kingdom, currently serving as President of the UN Security Council, Mitvim board member Nadav Tamir delivered a special briefing to Council members alongside Hiba
I have been teaching the seminar “Negotiating Middle East Peace,” which addresses successful and failed peace processes in the Arab Israeli conflict, in different settings, for the last 23 years.
Military leaders warn that failure to disarm Hamas could trigger renewed operations even as diplomacy moves forward.
An economic road map for the Palestinian Authority’s transition from dangerous collapse to stability within regional arrangements
It is unclear why it was necessary to construct such a complex structure to address Gaza’s well-known fundamental problems.
On October 7th, Israeli society was significantly altered in light of the unprecedented trauma. As a direct result, the Israeli political system, which has never excelled in developed civil
What may seem like a technical disagreement is in fact a struggle over Gaza’s future governance. Roee Kibrik, head of research at Mitvim, the Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign
“On the other hand, it’s not really clear where all this is headed”
Based on a conversation conducted by Dr. Roee Kibrik ahead of Mitvim’s Annual “Building Hope” Conference.
The Twenty Point Peace plan seems to promise a brighter future for Gazans and Israelis alike. It envisions a massive reconstruction effort coupled with a process of disarmament, demobilization,
“By accepting the Trump plan, Netanyahu has agreed to the establishment of the ISF. Israel wants the US to clearly be the one in charge of this endeavour, and is generally reluctant toward UN
Donald Trump is probably the most popular person in the State of Israel. From Hostages Square to the Knesset and throughout the length and breadth of the country, American flags were raised in
The cumulative consequences of the Gaza war present the Middle East with a decisive choice – between the continued cycles of violence and destruction and the beginning of a long process of
Nimrod Goren, the president of the Mitvim Institute, an Israeli think tank, said that while the realization of the first stage of Trump’s plan “is a huge achievement,” the big questions about the
Before the attacks on Oct. 7, Netanyahu had weakened Israel’s foreign ministry and centralized power in his own office, hollowing out the country’s diplomatic apparatus. When the war began,
Netanyahu’s policies since Oct. 7 have strained relations with Cairo at the expense of Israeli security.
“I am very deeply concerned about their ability to take revenge on us via the hostages,” said Moran Zaga, expert on the Gulf region at Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign
Germany’s reserve towards Netanyahu not only jeopardises the two-state solution, but also Israel’s democratic future.
This week on The New Arab Voice podcast, we look at the recent decision by Western nations to recognise the State of Palestine.
Like every Israeli child, I grew up with the memory of the Holocaust. My grandmother came to Palestine from Germany as a young Zionist before World War II. Her family, who stayed behind, perished.
The massacre of October 7th and the ensuing military campaigns in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran did not merely reshape the Middle Eastern political landscape — they also redefined Israel’s role
Nimrod Goren participated in a session where participants discussed what the role of the UfM should be with regards to the post-conflict recovery process in Gaza.
“Common perception in Israel that Netanyahu is acting due to his own political needs, rather than the national good and concern for the Israeli hostages”. Watch and read here
“The wheel must be broken at some point,” said Bar Rapaport of Mitvim: The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies. “Israel needs to manage the humanitarian effort in a proactive
Genuine progress toward a two-state solution could unlock broad regional cooperation and opportunities, Kibrik said, "but with this government, that option is off the table."
The Israeli Humanitarian Forum for Gaza – which includes Israeli humanitarian and aid organizations such as Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies – received alarming
It overestimates the appeal of military might while ignoring the real motivations that have historically led Arab states to normalize relations with Israel.
Mitvim’s President & Founder, Nimrod Goren, says Netanyahu’s military push in Gaza appears motivated more by domestic political survival than national security - sparking growing skepticism
On December 11, 2024, following the successful cease-fire that has entered into force on November 27, 2024, between Israel and Lebanon, I wrote a blog at The Times of Israel asking for an urgent
● Remarks on the situation in Gaza ● Hezbollah and Iran’s Regional Strategy ● Remarks on the Trump relocation proposal ● Analysis of the Saudi strategy and U.S. Relations ● Insights on the Iran
Since the outbreak of the war, several Arab states have played supportive roles – Egypt and Qatar as mediators, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, and
The document discusses the significance of developing a strategic policy for the humanitarian response in Gaza, emphasizing its importance as a vital Israeli interest. Humanitarian strategy is
We are honored to share the latest publication from the Mitvim Institute – the Israeli Initiative. The Initiative aims to turn the tragedy of October 7th and the ensuing war into a political
The paper examines elements of essential infrastructure in the Gaza Strip – energy, water, sanitation, and the health system – in the face of the ongoing war. Our aim is to inform
Israel’s success in stabilizing the humanitarian situation in Gaza correlates with minimizing harm to non-combatants. This provides greater flexibility for Israeli troops to defeat Hamas.
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
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 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
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
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, 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
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
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
Since President Abdel Fatah a-Sisi’s rise to power in 2014, Israeli-Egyptian ties have been marked by defense-strategic cooperation. This is based on the shared perception of Iran and radical
This article focuses on relations between Israel and Qatar, analyzing them in historical context, in the context of Qatari foreign policy and in terms of their potential and the limitations
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
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,
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.
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
This document outlines major trends in Israel’s regional foreign policies over the past six months. It is based on the Mitvim Institute’s monthly reports that cover ongoing developments in the
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
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,
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,
This document outlines major trends in Israel’s regional foreign policies over the past six months. It is based on the Mitvim Institute’s monthly reports that cover ongoing developments in the
The economic workshop in Bahrain in late June produced some noteworthy moments that reflected recent changes in Israeli-Gulf relations: An interview of the Bahraini foreign minister by Israeli
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
Security issues dominate the public and political discourse in Israel. During the 2019 election campaign, parties have been boasting of having some general or other on their roster of Knesset
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
Eight years ago, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak warned that Israel would face a diplomatic tsunami unless it re-engaged in the long stalemated peace talks with the Palestinians. Later on, Tzipi
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
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
Public attention in the upcoming Israeli elections is focusing on domestic political and economic issues, such as Netanyahu’s legal situation and the cost of living – and on security-related
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 resignation of Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, who headed the PA government for two terms as President Mahmoud Abbas’ right-hand man, took place at a watershed
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,
This document briefly outlines major trends in Israel’s regional foreign policies over the past six months. It is based on the Mitvim Institute’s monthly reports that cover ongoing developments
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
Israeli and Palestinian experts and activists – together with international diplomats – gathered on 31 October 2018 at the UN Headquarters in Jerusalem for a civil society roundtable discussion
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
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
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,
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 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,
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,
