Israel Policy Forum
@israelpolicyforum.bsky.social
Credible and constructive policy analysis and educational resources on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israeli politics, U.S.-Israel relations, and more.
Israel and Saudi Arabia’s efforts to reshape the region, one focused on militarily defeating its enemies and the other on regional stabilization, leave Jordan ever more exposed and with ever less room to maneuver, Farah Bdour writes in this Policy Pulse. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/12/09/h...
How MBS’ Trip to Washington Highlights a New Regional Order and Jordan’s Vulnerability
The interplay of Israel and Saudi Arabia’s efforts to reshape the region, one focused on militarily defeating its enemies and the other on regional stabilization, leave Jordan ever more exposed and wi...
israelpolicyforum.org
December 9, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Israel and Saudi Arabia’s efforts to reshape the region, one focused on militarily defeating its enemies and the other on regional stabilization, leave Jordan ever more exposed and with ever less room to maneuver, Farah Bdour writes in this Policy Pulse. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/12/09/h...
2025 saw the end of the Gaza war and the return of all living hostages from captivity. Heading into the new year, we face a new set of questions, challenges, and opportunities.
Watch our video on this moment for Israel, the American Jewish community, and our work. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCeQ...
Watch our video on this moment for Israel, the American Jewish community, and our work. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCeQ...
Challenges and Opportunities After Two Years of War
YouTube video by Israel Policy Forum
www.youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:05 PM
2025 saw the end of the Gaza war and the return of all living hostages from captivity. Heading into the new year, we face a new set of questions, challenges, and opportunities.
Watch our video on this moment for Israel, the American Jewish community, and our work. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCeQ...
Watch our video on this moment for Israel, the American Jewish community, and our work. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCeQ...
Watch the recording of our panel discussion with Amb. Michael Ratney, Elisa Ewers, and Rachel Brandenburg on the future of U.S. leadership in the Middle East here: youtu.be/gFHk_3XTnhk?...
The Future of U.S. Leadership in the Middle East
YouTube video by Israel Policy Forum
youtu.be
December 5, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Watch the recording of our panel discussion with Amb. Michael Ratney, Elisa Ewers, and Rachel Brandenburg on the future of U.S. leadership in the Middle East here: youtu.be/gFHk_3XTnhk?...
Netanyahu’s pardon request follows a familiar playbook: manufacture a crisis, then resolve it to ensure he’ll gain. But has he overplayed his hand this time? Read Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow in this week’s Koplow Column: israelpolicyforum.org/2025/12/04/n...
Netanyahu’s Pardon Gambit Looks Familiar Because It’s His Best Trick
Netanyahu is practiced at creating a crisis that he then makes disappear in return for something. The question this time is whether he has taken things too far for it to work.
israelpolicyforum.org
December 4, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Netanyahu’s pardon request follows a familiar playbook: manufacture a crisis, then resolve it to ensure he’ll gain. But has he overplayed his hand this time? Read Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow in this week’s Koplow Column: israelpolicyforum.org/2025/12/04/n...
Netanyahu's pardon request presents a challenge for Herzog, whose priority is to advance reconciliation.
@alexlederman.bsky.social unpacks both leaders' considerations and the legality of a preemptive presidential pardon in this Inside Israeli Politics. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/12/02/b...
@alexlederman.bsky.social unpacks both leaders' considerations and the legality of a preemptive presidential pardon in this Inside Israeli Politics. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/12/02/b...
Bibi’s Pardon Request
Prime Minister Netanyahu's pardon request presents a challenge for President Herzog, whose priority is to advance reconciliation. Alex Lederman unpacks both leaders' considerations and the legality of...
israelpolicyforum.org
December 3, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Netanyahu's pardon request presents a challenge for Herzog, whose priority is to advance reconciliation.
@alexlederman.bsky.social unpacks both leaders' considerations and the legality of a preemptive presidential pardon in this Inside Israeli Politics. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/12/02/b...
@alexlederman.bsky.social unpacks both leaders' considerations and the legality of a preemptive presidential pardon in this Inside Israeli Politics. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/12/02/b...
To avoid a quagmire in Gaza, the U.S. should think carefully about the goals of its involvement there and the sort of coalition needed to achieve them. Otherwise, Trump’s ceasefire success could become a failure to win the peace, writes
Rachel Brandenburg. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/25/h...
Rachel Brandenburg. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/25/h...
How the U.S. Can Build a Successful Coalition in Gaza
To avoid a quagmire in Gaza, the U.S. should think carefully about the goals of its involvement there and the sort of coalition needed to achieve them. Otherwise, Trump’s ceasefire success could becom...
israelpolicyforum.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:57 PM
To avoid a quagmire in Gaza, the U.S. should think carefully about the goals of its involvement there and the sort of coalition needed to achieve them. Otherwise, Trump’s ceasefire success could become a failure to win the peace, writes
Rachel Brandenburg. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/25/h...
Rachel Brandenburg. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/25/h...
Netanyahu’s refusal to involve the Palestinian Authority blocks any realistic exit from the Gaza conflict. In @timesofisrael.com, Israel Fellow Nimrod Novik discusses President Trump's options to move the plan to disarm Hamas forward. blogs.timesofisrael.com/bibis-foreve...
The Blogs: Bibi’s forever war
As long as Netanyahu vetoes a role for the PA in Gaza, the plan to disarm Hamas can't move forward - unless Trump steps in again
blogs.timesofisrael.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Netanyahu’s refusal to involve the Palestinian Authority blocks any realistic exit from the Gaza conflict. In @timesofisrael.com, Israel Fellow Nimrod Novik discusses President Trump's options to move the plan to disarm Hamas forward. blogs.timesofisrael.com/bibis-foreve...
Weekly Briefing | The U.N. Backs Trump's Peace Plan, MBS Visits D.C., Settler Violence, and More ipf.li/nov21
Weekly Briefing | The U.N. Backs Trump's Peace Plan, MBS Visits D.C., Settler Violence, and More
ipf.li
November 21, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Weekly Briefing | The U.N. Backs Trump's Peace Plan, MBS Visits D.C., Settler Violence, and More ipf.li/nov21
The U.S. should kickstart much-needed Palestinian Authority reform by taking the PA’s claims to have ended its prisoner and “martyr” welfare payments seriously and sending a team to rigorously audit the new welfare system.
Read our explainer here: israelpolicyforum.org/making-the-p...
Read our explainer here: israelpolicyforum.org/making-the-p...
Making the PA’s "Martyr" and Prisoner Payments Reform Real
The U.S. should kickstart much-needed Palestinian Authority reform by taking the PA’s claims to have ended its prisoner and “martyr” welfare payments seriously and sending a team to rigorously audit t...
israelpolicyforum.org
November 21, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The U.S. should kickstart much-needed Palestinian Authority reform by taking the PA’s claims to have ended its prisoner and “martyr” welfare payments seriously and sending a team to rigorously audit the new welfare system.
Read our explainer here: israelpolicyforum.org/making-the-p...
Read our explainer here: israelpolicyforum.org/making-the-p...
Israel should take the long view towards both Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian Authority. That means seriously considering the risks of Saudi F-35s and accepting some risk with the PA to avoid a deadlock in Gaza, Michael Koplow writes in this Koplow Column. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/20/i...
Israel Should Take a Goldilocks Approach to Both the Saudis and the Palestinians
Israel’s future relationships with Saudi Arabia and with the Palestinians are front and center this week. In each case, Israel should rebalance its risk tolerance, but in different directions.
israelpolicyforum.org
November 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Israel should take the long view towards both Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian Authority. That means seriously considering the risks of Saudi F-35s and accepting some risk with the PA to avoid a deadlock in Gaza, Michael Koplow writes in this Koplow Column. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/20/i...
Watch the recording of today's webinar with Amb. Michael Ratney, Aziz Alghashian, and Rachel Brandenburg on the Saudi Crown Prince's White House visit here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUQf...
Saudi Crown Prince Comes to Washington
YouTube video by Israel Policy Forum
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Watch the recording of today's webinar with Amb. Michael Ratney, Aziz Alghashian, and Rachel Brandenburg on the Saudi Crown Prince's White House visit here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUQf...
Eschewing calls for a proper state commission of inquiry into October 7, the Israeli government's decision to formulate its own commission could result in politicized findings, explains @alexlederman.bsky.social in this Inside Israeli Politics. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/19/t...
The Commission Controversy
Eschewing calls for a proper state commission of inquiry into October 7, the Israeli government's decision to formulate its own commission could result in politicized findings, explains Senior Policy ...
israelpolicyforum.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Eschewing calls for a proper state commission of inquiry into October 7, the Israeli government's decision to formulate its own commission could result in politicized findings, explains @alexlederman.bsky.social in this Inside Israeli Politics. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/19/t...
TODAY at 2pm ET: Webinar on Saudi Crown Prince MBS' trip to Washington
Featuring Amb. Michael Ratney, Aziz Alghashian, and Rachel Brandenburg
Register here: israelpolicyforum.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Featuring Amb. Michael Ratney, Aziz Alghashian, and Rachel Brandenburg
Register here: israelpolicyforum.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 19, 2025 at 3:14 PM
TODAY at 2pm ET: Webinar on Saudi Crown Prince MBS' trip to Washington
Featuring Amb. Michael Ratney, Aziz Alghashian, and Rachel Brandenburg
Register here: israelpolicyforum.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Featuring Amb. Michael Ratney, Aziz Alghashian, and Rachel Brandenburg
Register here: israelpolicyforum.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
On this #IsraelPolicyPod, Shanie Reichman and Jacob Magid discuss whether the Gaza ceasefire will hold, the Hamas members trapped in Rafah, the UNSC resolution vote on President Trump’s 20-point plan, PA reform, settler violence in the West Bank, and more. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/18/w...
What's Next for the Gaza Ceasefire?
On this week’s episode, Israel Policy Forum Director of Strategic Initiatives and IPF Atid Shanie Reichman hosts Jacob Magid, U.S. Bureau Chief at The Times of Israel. They discuss whether the Gaza ce...
israelpolicyforum.org
November 18, 2025 at 4:48 PM
On this #IsraelPolicyPod, Shanie Reichman and Jacob Magid discuss whether the Gaza ceasefire will hold, the Hamas members trapped in Rafah, the UNSC resolution vote on President Trump’s 20-point plan, PA reform, settler violence in the West Bank, and more. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/18/w...
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's White House visit will underscore how much his rule has transformed the kingdom, argues former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Israel Policy Forum Distinguished Policy Fellow Michael Ratney.
Amb. Ratney in The New York Times: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/o...
Amb. Ratney in The New York Times: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/o...
Opinion | The Saudi Crown Prince Heads to Washington With a New Set of Priorities
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's White House visit will underscore how much his rule has transformed the kingdom, argues former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Israel Policy Forum Distinguished Policy Fellow Michael Ratney.
Amb. Ratney in The New York Times: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/o...
Amb. Ratney in The New York Times: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/o...
Reposted by Israel Policy Forum
Wednesday, November 19, at 2pm ET: Webinar on Saudi Crown Prince MBS' trip to Washington
Featuring Amb. Michael Ratney, Aziz Alghashian, and Rachel Brandenburg
Register here: israelpolicyforum.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Featuring Amb. Michael Ratney, Aziz Alghashian, and Rachel Brandenburg
Register here: israelpolicyforum.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 13, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Wednesday, November 19, at 2pm ET: Webinar on Saudi Crown Prince MBS' trip to Washington
Featuring Amb. Michael Ratney, Aziz Alghashian, and Rachel Brandenburg
Register here: israelpolicyforum.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Featuring Amb. Michael Ratney, Aziz Alghashian, and Rachel Brandenburg
Register here: israelpolicyforum.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Weekly Briefing | Ceasefires Under Strain, West Bank Settler Attacks, Trump Requests Pardon for Bibi, and More ipf.li/november14
Weekly Briefing | Ceasefires Under Strain, West Bank Settler Attacks, Trump Requests Pardon for Bibi, and More
ipf.li
November 14, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Weekly Briefing | Ceasefires Under Strain, West Bank Settler Attacks, Trump Requests Pardon for Bibi, and More ipf.li/november14
Violent attacks by settlers on Palestinians continue to spike. This is one of several trends catalyzed by October 7 that could still trigger a major West Bank escalation, explains @alexlederman.bsky.social in this Policy Pulse. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/13/t...
The Forgotten Front on Fire
Violent attacks by settlers on Palestinians continue to spike. This is one of several trends catalyzed by October 7 that could still trigger a major West Bank escalation.
israelpolicyforum.org
November 13, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Violent attacks by settlers on Palestinians continue to spike. This is one of several trends catalyzed by October 7 that could still trigger a major West Bank escalation, explains @alexlederman.bsky.social in this Policy Pulse. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/13/t...
Wednesday, November 19, at 2pm ET: Webinar on Saudi Crown Prince MBS' trip to Washington
Featuring Amb. Michael Ratney, Aziz Alghashian, and Rachel Brandenburg
Register here: israelpolicyforum.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Featuring Amb. Michael Ratney, Aziz Alghashian, and Rachel Brandenburg
Register here: israelpolicyforum.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 13, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Wednesday, November 19, at 2pm ET: Webinar on Saudi Crown Prince MBS' trip to Washington
Featuring Amb. Michael Ratney, Aziz Alghashian, and Rachel Brandenburg
Register here: israelpolicyforum.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Featuring Amb. Michael Ratney, Aziz Alghashian, and Rachel Brandenburg
Register here: israelpolicyforum.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
The success of Trump's 20-point plan hinges on Hamas' disarmament. The fate of the Hamas fighters currently stranded in Rafah presents both a test and an opportunity, explains Michael Koplow in this week's Koplow Column. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/13/t...
The Trapped Hamas Fighters May Be the Key to Disarmament
The biggest stumbling block in getting to the next Gaza stage is Hamas disarmament. The fighters caught in the tunnel in Rafah can provide a model for how to move forward.
israelpolicyforum.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:24 PM
The success of Trump's 20-point plan hinges on Hamas' disarmament. The fate of the Hamas fighters currently stranded in Rafah presents both a test and an opportunity, explains Michael Koplow in this week's Koplow Column. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/13/t...
Yesterday's return of Hadar Goldin z"l to Israel is welcome news. We are relieved that the Goldin family can bury their son after 11 long years of his body being held in Hamas captivity. May his memory be a blessing, and we pray for the swift return of the remaining four deceased hostages.
November 10, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Yesterday's return of Hadar Goldin z"l to Israel is welcome news. We are relieved that the Goldin family can bury their son after 11 long years of his body being held in Hamas captivity. May his memory be a blessing, and we pray for the swift return of the remaining four deceased hostages.
Weekly Briefing | Remembering Yitzhak Rabin, the Sde Teiman Scandals, Gaza Governance Uncertainty, and More ipf.li/november7
Weekly Briefing | Remembering Yitzhak Rabin, the Sde Teiman Scandals, Gaza Governance Uncertainty, and More
ipf.li
November 7, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Weekly Briefing | Remembering Yitzhak Rabin, the Sde Teiman Scandals, Gaza Governance Uncertainty, and More ipf.li/november7
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to meet with President Trump at the White House, and relations with Israel will certainly be on the agenda.
Our latest explainer offers insight into Israel's considerations in engaging with the new Syrian regime: israelpolicyforum.org/israel-and-t...
Our latest explainer offers insight into Israel's considerations in engaging with the new Syrian regime: israelpolicyforum.org/israel-and-t...
November 6, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to meet with President Trump at the White House, and relations with Israel will certainly be on the agenda.
Our latest explainer offers insight into Israel's considerations in engaging with the new Syrian regime: israelpolicyforum.org/israel-and-t...
Our latest explainer offers insight into Israel's considerations in engaging with the new Syrian regime: israelpolicyforum.org/israel-and-t...
Yitzhak Rabin took calculated risks in the pursuit of a long-term strategic vision, and understood the value of Israel’s relations with American Jews. Netanyahu, and Israel, would do well to relearn those lessons, explains Michael Koplow in this Koplow Column. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/06/y...
November 6, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Yitzhak Rabin took calculated risks in the pursuit of a long-term strategic vision, and understood the value of Israel’s relations with American Jews. Netanyahu, and Israel, would do well to relearn those lessons, explains Michael Koplow in this Koplow Column. israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/06/y...
To expose a heinous crime by IDF soldiers, the military advocate general committed a crime of her own. This scandal-in-a-scandal is the latest proxy battle in Israel's struggle over the rule of law. Alex Lederman explains in this Inside Israeli Politics: israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/05/t...
November 5, 2025 at 8:20 PM
To expose a heinous crime by IDF soldiers, the military advocate general committed a crime of her own. This scandal-in-a-scandal is the latest proxy battle in Israel's struggle over the rule of law. Alex Lederman explains in this Inside Israeli Politics: israelpolicyforum.org/2025/11/05/t...