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Gaza

CNBC

Netanyahu’s renewed Gaza offensive is politically driven, says think tank – Nimrod Goren on CNBC, May 2025

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

THE TIMES OF ISRAEL

The United Nations Security Council Should Stop the War in Gaza Now – Arie M. Kacowicz, The Times of Israel, May 2025

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

LOGO i24NEWS

Dr. GIL Murciano discusses the latest developments. Middle East Now, i24NEWS, April 2025

● 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

Arab Leaders Unite on Paper, but Who Will Rebuild Gaza?

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

Humanitarian Strategy in the Israel-Hamas War

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

The Israeli Initiative

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

Recommendations for Essential Infrastructure and Healthcare in the Gaza Strip

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

Why it’s essential to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza

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.

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

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

Challenges and Opportunities for Gaza: A Mediterranean Perspective

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

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 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

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

THE JERUSALEM POST

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

Israel-Egypt Cooperation in 2019: Strategic Warming, Civilian Coolness?

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

Israel and Qatar: Relations Nurtured by the Palestinian Issue

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

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

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,

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.

הארץ

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

Trends in Israel’s Regional Foreign Policies, Vol. 4

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 JERUSALEM POST

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

THE JERUSALEM POST

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,

THE JERUSALEM POST

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,

Trends in Israel’s Regional Foreign Policies, Vol. 3

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 Bahrain Workshop and the Dwindling Chances for Israeli-Palestinian Peace under Trump

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

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

Israel’s Former Diplomats Are a Wasted National Resource

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

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

What Should Israel’s Next Foreign Minister Do?

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

Guiding Principles for Israel’s Foreign Policy toward the Eastern Mediterranean

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

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

Who Remembers the Palestinian Issue?

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

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

Where Are Palestinian Politics Headed?

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

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,

Trends in Israel’s Regional Foreign Policies vol. 2

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

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

Regional Opportunities to Improve the Situation in Gaza

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

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

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,

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,

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

Trends in Israel’s Regional Foreign Policies Vol. 1

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

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 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

Netanyahu Needs Conflict to Survive

In 2015, Benjamin Netanyahu was elected to a fourth term as prime minister of Israel. Within months, pundits began speculating when his government would fall. So far, the answer has been never.

הארץ

Who Said Refugees Do Not Return Home?

The demonstrations in the Gaza Strip over the last four weeks, under the banner of the “return of the refugees,” have stirred confusion and resentment among many Israelis. No question about it:

Can China Contribute to Israeli-Palestinian Peacemaking?

In December 2017, while the UN General Assembly voted against the American decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and while Palestinian leaders were seeking an alternative mediator

A Look at the Palestinian Reconciliation Process

The agreement signed between Fatah and Hamas on 12 October 2017, under the auspices of Egyptian intelligence, is in fact a memorandum of understanding that signals the beginning of a process of

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

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 JERUSALEM POST

What Abbas Should Be Concerned About?

On July 2, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a speech at the African Union Heads of State Summit in Addis Ababa. The speech attracted little attention from Israeli or global media,

The Palestinians also know how to miss opportunities

US President Trump’s visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority creates expectations for a breakthrough in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. To assess the likelihood of such a breakthrough, it

Hamas’ New Policy Document

Hamas’ new policy document does not cancel or supersede the organization’s charter. Rather, its goal is to enable Hamas to maintain control over the Gaza Strip and to improve relations with

The future of Palestinian diplomacy in the Trump era

The developments during the early months of 2017 show that the Palestinian Authority continues to prefer to express its opposition to Israeli policy through diplomatic means, including attempts

The Israel-Turkey Deal Could Benefit the Palestnians

An extended period of strained relations has finally ended with a series of lengthy negotiations that culminated in the recent Turkey-Israeli deal in June 2016. The crucial point in the

Turkey and Israel: A Chronicle of Bilateral Relations

As someone who personally experienced the first downgrading of diplomatic relations between Israel and Turkey in 1981, and kept close track of the second downgrading in 2010, I naturally feel

The Israel-Turkey Deal Could Benefit the Palestinians

An extended period of strained relations has finally ended with a series of lengthy negotiations that culminated in the recent Turkey-Israeli deal in June 2016. The critical point in the

A Pro-Peace Israeli Foreign Policy

A resolution to the Arab-Israeli and Palestinian-Israeli conflicts is a vital national interest of Israel and must be a central goal of its foreign policy. The status quo is unstable and time is

Turkey-Israel deal: A key to long-term reconciliation?

Turkey and Israel have finally restored diplomatic relations based on a reconciliation deal signed on June 28, 2016, following six years of a tumultuous negotiation process. After agreement on

The Path to Normalization between Israel and Turkey

It was July 3, 2016, only a few days after the security cabinet had convened in Jerusalem and approved the reconciliation agreement between Israel and Turkey. The bow of the Lady Leyla ship

The Postponement of the Palestinian Local Elections and its Ramifications

The Palestinian government recently decided to postpone local elections – that were scheduled for October 2016 – by four months, whilst limiting voting to the West Bank alone. The decision was

THE JERUSALEM POST

Notes on the Quartet report

The Quartet Report was widely criticized by both Israelis and Palestinians, but apart from the responses of a number Israeli and Palestinian officials, has yet to make any waves in the public

Israel-Turkey: Where to from Now?

After years of negotiations that produced sporadic headlines but few results, Israel and Turkey finally reached terms for reconciliation on June 27. While relations will not return to the “love

Israel and Turkey on the Verge of an Agreement

Israel and Turkey have been conveying to their publics positive messages about progress in the bilateral negotiations toward a reconciliation agreement. Expectations are that a deal may be

The curse of stagnation and the need for conflict comparison

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is mired in political paralysis that is costing lives daily. Local actors at the policy level are badly in need of fresh ideas, but few are forthcoming. In this

Impressions from a day in Gaza

“Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to spend a day in Gaza with Andy Dwonch, the head of Mercy Corps in Palestine. Mercy Corps is a large nonprofit organization based in Portland, with

Time to seal the Israel-Turkey deal

Turkey and Israel face a unique opportunity: to reconcile after five years of stagnant bilateral relations. We, leaders of Israeli and Turkish think tanks that have been working together since

Assessing EU Policies toward the Southern Mediterranean

Some 100 representatives of approximately 75 leading think tanks and research centers from across the Middle East, North Africa and the European Union (EU) gathered on 8-9 October 2015 in Milano

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

An opportunity that would not be seized

The post-Arab Spring period, which witnessed the collapse of dictatorial regimes, the eruption of civil wars and the possible disappearance of several sovereign Arab states, created opportunities

The Next Steps toward Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

In the immediate aftermath of Israel’s recent elections and the formation of its 34th government, and not long after a period of conflict with Gaza and heightened tensions amongst Israel’s Arab

The US role in Israel-Turkey relations

Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies and Global Political Trends (GPoT) Center held their 5th policy dialogue on March 23rd, 2015, in Washington D.C. The event which was

Israel-Turkey Relations after the War in Gaza

On November 20th, 2014, Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies and the Global Political Trends (GPoT) Center held their 4th policy dialogue. The dialogue took place in

What is the role of Israel in Turkey’s political universe? A Q&A with Dr. Emre Erdoğan

Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan’s anti-Israel comments during Operation Protective Edge were driven by domestic concerns, including the August 10th Presidential elections; But Turkey needs to be

Israel, Gaza and the Region: Post-Ceasefire Opportunities

In light of the prolonged fighting between Israel and Hamas, forty experts, diplomats and journalists, from Israel and abroad, convened in Jerusalem on July 24, 2014 for a policy planning

By condemning abduction, Abbas proved he’s a statesman

In front of the cameras, at the conference of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation taking place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Palestinian Authority chairman chose Wednesday

Palestinian reconciliation process

Palestinian inner strife which started in June 2007 seems to be on its way to an end. The two major Palestinian parties, Fatah and Hamas, entered into deliberation after realizing that current

For Netanyahu, security trumps rapprochement with Turkey

The ongoing drama between Israel and Turkey seems to be approaching its final act. However, even though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Anadolu Agency (AA) that Israel desires

If only Morsi had listened to Erdoğan

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s September 2011 visit to Cairo was full of pomp and circumstance. Thousands of adoring Egyptians welcomed him waving Turkish flags and sounding their

Israel Should Support Palestinian Reconciliation

Hamas has notified Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that it wants to join a national unity government with Fatah, marking a breakthrough in reconciliation talks, according to the

Time to Impose a Plan

AS the dust settles over the Israel-Gaza border, attention shifts to New York, where the Palestinian delegation will ask the United Nations next Thursday to upgrade its status to that of

Israelis readier than ever for raid apology, poll shows

The Arab Spring appears to have changed the views of Israelis on Turkey, as a recent poll revealed that a majority favor Israel apologizing to Turkey for the 2010 killings of Turks in a

Israel and Turkey During the Arab Spring

Winds of change have begun blowing across the Middle East in early 2011. For the first time in decades, Arab citizens in different countries have been going to the streets and demanding freedom

Israel Is Missing an Opportunity to Mend Ties With Turkey

In the last couple of days, Israel’s Counter Terrorism Bureau has warned Israeli citizens against travelling to Turkey for fear of terrorist attacks, and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip

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