Publications

As the war in the Gaza Strip continues, Israel’s international legitimacy is eroding, its global standing is deteriorating, the IDF is being worn down, and divisions within Israeli society are widening. Escaping this deadlock requires a paradigmatic shift that moves beyond the narrow thinking of only two options (as defined by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu): either a full occupation of the Strip or capitulation to Hamas, which would remain in power, in exchange for the release of the hostages. However, there is another option—one...

The impression emerging from the widespread discussions in the media and on Arab satellite channels not identified with the Islamist stream is that, in launching the war on October 7, 2023, Hamas essentially dug a pit for itself and for other resistance movements across the Middle East. The growing anger toward Hamas—given the immense human suffering in the Gaza Strip, the destruction it has caused, and its failure to achieve the goals it claimed to be pursuing—has led most critics, including those close to the organization, to...

As part of the reforms recently announced by Mahmoud Abbas, the PLO Central Council approved the appointment of Hussein al-Sheikh as deputy chairman of the organization—a position that did not previously exist. This step reflects Abbas’s response to pressure exerted by Arab states, chiefly Saudi Arabia, as well as other countries including the United States, in light of the complex ramifications of the war in the Gaza Strip and Abbas’s own intense anger—shared by Arab governments and Arab media—toward Hamas. This move is also likely...

The growing criticism of Hamas following the October 7 massacre and the significant damage it has caused to the Palestinian cause are pushing the debate between Hamas and Fatah toward a resolution. Abu Mazen is taking advantage of the situation and attempting to accelerate reforms that he previously rejected, in order to prevent the “elimination” of the Palestinian issue—meaning its removal from the agenda—and to shape what will happen the day after. The Arab states that seek a settlement and strive for dialogue with the West see eye...

Over the past two years, the collapse of the Palestinian Authority (PA) has been touted as a very realistic possibility, given the Israeli government’s policy of implementing “facts on the ground”; that is, expanding the settlement enterprise in a way that is, for the most part, irreversible and undermines the already weak position of the PA. The collapse—or toppling—of the PA would set the Israeli–Palestinian process back more than 30 years and would place Israel in an immensely difficult situation in terms of international...

Israel’s decision to bar entry to over 140,000 Palestinian workers from the West Bank due to the outbreak of the war with Hamas and concerns over their allegiance with Hamas heavily strains the Palestinian economy and the stability of the Palestinian Authority. Moreover, this move also affects the Israeli economy, which has not yet found replacements for these workers. Particularly the construction and agriculture sectors, heavily dependent on Palestinian labor, are in a state of crisis. The rise in anti-Palestinian sentiment...

The summit of the Palestinian factions in el-Alamein, Egypt, convened by Abu Mazen, was attended by the head of the Hamas Political Bureau and the leaders of most other factions. It was coordinated in advance with Hamas, which upon its conclusion, praised the amicable spirit and inclination toward agreement that prevailed throughout the event. In his concluding remarks, Abu Mazen announced the establishment of a follow-up committee in order to reach agreements for a reconciliation formula that would be acceptable to all, although no...

With the end of Operation Shield and Arrow – the most recent round fought between Israel and Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip – talk of a hudna or an extended arrangement at the Israel-Gaza border resurfaced. The discourse is driven by the fact that as in the two previous rounds, Hamas did not take an active part. Nonetheless, is highly doubtful that Hamas’s non-intervention is an indication of its desire for quiet. More likely, it points, rather, to new understandings with the resistance front, whereby all elements can be involved,...

A part of the current regional detente between countries and organizations in the Middle East is the growing closeness between Saudi Arabia and Hamas, evidenced by the recent visit of Hamas leaders to the Kingdom and the release of Hamas prisoners held there. In principle, rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Hamas should not affect the normalization process, as long as Israel is perceived as a stable democratic actor that contributes to regional security and stability.

The results of the Knesset elections did not surprise the Palestinians, who have followed the changes in Israeli society over the last decade or more vis-à-vis the Palestinian issue, and especially the rising support for parties opposed to a political resolution. In this context, they increasingly question the benefit of continued reliance on the process created with the Oslo Accords. Herein, however, lies the trap: the establishment of the Palestinian Authority was an achievement worth maintaining, yet this achievement has not...

As expected, the Israeli security establishment, and in cooperation with the Palestinian security apparatuses, succeeded in dismantling the Lion’s Den armed group in Nablus and substantially weakening the more veteran Jenin Brigade. The two groups propounded a militant ethos and many young people across the West Bank and East Jerusalem are interested in imitating their actions, in light of the loss of hope for the future, as well as in protest against the Palestinian Authority, which they see as a municipal authority of the...

Frequent security incidents in the West Bank raise questions about the conduct of Fatah, which is controlled by the Palestinian Authority. Involvement of Fatah members in clashes with IDF forces and cooperation between them and other organizations, especially in the northern West Bank, show Fatah’s lack of central control, the division into factions, and activity based on local instructions. This situation undermines stability across the West Bank, further weakens Abu Mazen’s control, and presents a complex challenge for Israel. Many...