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Peace Partners, Normalisation and Coexistence

Key background
  • Israel’s Declaration of Independence from May 1948 included the paragraph, “We extend our hand to all neighbouring states and their peoples in an offer of peace and good neighbourliness, and appeal to them to establish bonds of cooperation and mutual help with the sovereign Jewish people settled in its own land. The State of Israel is prepared to do its share in a common effort for the advancement of the entire Middle East.”
  • Egypt was the first Arab state to make peace with Israel, concluding a peace treaty in 1979, signed between Prime Minister Menachem Begin and President Anwar Sadat.
  • In 1993 Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) signed the Declaration of Principles on the White House lawn and launched the Oslo peace process.
  • Israel returned to Washington a year later when Israel and Jordan signing of a peace agreement.  The treaty was signed by Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and King Hussein and established formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.
  • In 2020 Prime Minister Netanyahu signed the Abraham Accords.  These are a series of US-brokered normalisation agreements between Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. While it was originally hoped that Sudan would also join the Accords, these ambitions have been delayed by the country’s civil war.

Updated October 21, 2024

Isfahan weapons factory targeted

An Iranian weapons factory in Isfahan was targeted by quadcopter drones carrying explosives.

  • It is unclear how much damage was caused, with videos showing an explosion (and possibly a secondary explosion – suggesting the presence of explosive material) causing a substantial fire.
  • According to Iranian officials, they successfully shot down two drones, with a third causing “minor damage” to the factory roof.
  • Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, confirmed the attack yesterday but claimed that “a cowardly drone attack on a military site in central Iran will not impede Iran’s progress on its peaceful nuclear programme.”
  • Israeli media has reported four quadcopters caused significant damage to the military installation which manufactured Shahed-136 drones (the type supplied to Russia) as well as ballistic missiles.
  • According to the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, it was Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad who was responsible for the strikes, though no Israeli officials have confirmed this.
  • In a separate incident there were reports of a convoy of trucks belonging to the IRGC that was targeted crossing the border into from Iraq.  Al-Arabiya reported that the aircraft fired warning shots to allow the truck drivers to escape.  The Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen network reported that the attack targeted three Iranian trucks that were part of a convoy of 25 trucks.

If Israel was responsible, this appears to be Israel’s first attack inside Iran since Prime Minister Netanyahu returned to office.

  • Whoever was responsible for the attack exhibited impressive technological ability, precise intelligence and operation by agents on the ground (the quadcopters only have a only a modest range).
  • This is understood to be at least the fourth Israeli attack inside Iran since Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the head of Iran’s nuclear weapons programme was assassinated in November 2020.
  • Since then advanced centrifuges in Natanz were targeted in April 2021 and in Karaj in June that year.
  • In February 2022 Iran’s main manufacturing and storage demo for military drones in Kermanshah was targeted after two armed drones were launched towards Israel (and shot down over Iraq). In that strike it is estimated that hundreds of Iranian drones were destroyed.
  • Quadcopters could have been used in that strike and have also been deployed in other attacks, including the targeting of a factory producing precision guided missiles inside Lebanon in August 2019.
  • Isfahan is one of Iran’s largest and most advanced missile production, research and development sites. These weapons were designated for Iranian proxies across the region that threaten Israel, as well as to potentially supply Russia to be used in Ukraine.
  • The target of the strike near the Iraq- border appears to resemble a similar convoy of weapons smuggling that outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Kochavi claimed was targeted in a preventative Israeli strike in December 2022.
  • These strikes took place just days after the largest ever Israel – US military drill. It also coincided with the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, William J. Burns, visiting Israel.
  • US Secretary of State Blinken arrives in Israel today. This afternoon he is expected to meet Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog. Iran, expanding the Abraham Accords, US-Israeli security cooperation, Palestinian violence, and judicial reform are all on the agenda.

January 30, 2023

Drones target Iranian weapons factory

What happened: An Iranian weapons factory in Isfahan was targeted by quadcopter drones carrying explosives.

  • It is unclear how much damage was caused, with videos showing an explosion (and possibly a secondary explosion – suggesting the presence of explosive material) causing a substantial fire.
  • According to Iranian officials, they successfully shot down two drones, with a third causing “minor damage” to the factory roof.
  • Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, confirmed the attack yesterday but claimed that “a cowardly drone attack on a military site in central Iran will not impede Iran’s progress on its peaceful nuclear programme.”
  • Israeli media has reported four quadcopters caused significant damage to the miliary installation which manufactured Shahed-136 drones (the type supplied to Russia) as well as ballistic missiles.
  • According to the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, it was Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad who was responsible for the strikes, though no Israeli officials have confirmed this.
  • In a separate incident there were reports of a convoy of trucks belonging to the IRGC that was targeted crossing the border into from Iraq.  Al-Arabiya reported that the aircraft fired warning shots to allow the truck drivers to escape.  The Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen network reported that the attack targeted three Iranian trucks that were part of a convoy of 25 trucks.

Context: If Israel was responsible, this appears to be Israel’s first attack inside Iran since Prime Minister Netanyahu returned to office.

  • Whoever was responsible for the attack exhibited impressive technological ability, precise intelligence and operation by agents on the ground (the quadcopters only have a only a modest range).
  • This is understood to be at least the fourth Israeli attack inside Iran since Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the head of Iran’s nuclear weapons programme was assassinated in November 2020.
  • Since then advanced centrifuges in Natanz were targeted in April 2021 and in Karaj in June that year.
  • In February 2022 Iran’s main manufacturing and storage demo for military drones in Kermanshah was targeted after two armed drones were launched towards Israel (and shot down over Iraq). In that strike it is estimated that hundreds of Iranian drones were destroyed.
  • Quadcopters could have been used in that strike and have also been deployed in other attacks, including the targeting of a factory producing precision guided missiles inside Lebanon in August 2019.
  • Isfahan is one of Iran’s largest and most advanced missile production, research and development sites. These weapons were designated for Iranian proxies across the region that threaten Israel, as well as to potentially supply Russia to be used in Ukraine.
  • The target of the strike near the Iraq- border appears to resemble a similar convoy of weapons smuggling that outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Kochavi claimed was targeted in a preventative Israeli strike in December 2022.
  • These strikes took place just days after the largest ever Israel – US military drill. It also coincided with the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, William J. Burns, visiting Israel.

Looking ahead: US Secretary of State Blinken arrives in Israel today. This afternoon he is expected to meet Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog. Iran, expanding the Abraham Accords, US-Israeli security cooperation, Palestinian violence, and judicial reform are all on the agenda.

January 23, 2023

Negev Forum’s first meeting

Israeli Foreign Ministry Director Alon Ushpiz and 20 other Israeli officials joined counterparts from Morocco, Bahrain, the UAE, Egypt, and the US in Abu Dhabi for the first official meeting of the Negev Forum’s working groups.

  • A total of 150 participants met in what organisers say was the largest gathering of Israeli and Arab officials since the 1991 Madrid Summit.
  • Israeli ministries represented included defence, intelligence, economy, agriculture, energy, health, tourism, and education. Officials from the National Security Council and the Water Authority were also present.
  • Amidst a week of domestic political tension and recrimination, the forum presented a rare opportunity for bipartisan celebration. Opposition leader Yair Lapid described images from the summit as “extremely moving” and tweeted that “our vision of a ‘statesmanship of connections’ is taking form and is bringing the Middle East to new achievements of regional stability and cooperation.”
  • Away from the Forum, new Foreign Minister Eli Cohen spoke with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Tuesday. Cohen then joined Economy Minister Nik Barkat in meeting with UK minister for the Middle East region Lord Ahmed in Jerusalem on Wednesday, with discussions focussing on regional security and the long hoped-for free trade deal between the .

The Negev Forum was a 2022 initiative of the US and then-Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, designed to create a “permanent forum” to deepen the Abraham Accords, strengthen Arab-Israeli ties, and address issues of mutual concern.

  • Its inaugural meeting, attended by the Foreign Ministers of all members, was held in March last year in Sde Boker, followed by subsequent meetings in June and October.
  • The Working Groups are divided into six issue areas-
    • Regional security
    • Clean energy
    • Food and water security
    • Health
    • Tourism
    • Education and coexistence.
  • It can already point to its achievements in increased tourism and direct flights between Israel and the Arab members, as well as the expansion of trade and academic and cultural exchange.
  • Israel currently chairs the education and coexistence group, and co-chairs the food and water security team with Morocco.
  • Officials stressed the importance of the latter group in the context of the continued disruption of the global supply of grain and other vital ingredients caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
  • Israeli Foreign Ministry officials stressed that the decision of all other Forum states to publicly criticise Minister Ben Gvir’s recent visit to the Temple Mount would have no bearing on discussions, and further signs of the increased cooperation between Israel and the UAE were evident during and beyond the Forum.
  • This week, Israel and UAE held their first official financial dialogue meeting (virtually). Shira Greenberg, chief economist and director of state revenue, research, and international affairs at the Israeli Ministry of Finance joined Younis Haji Al Khoori, under-secretary of the UAE’s Ministry of Finance, to discuss opportunities for financial cooperation.
  • The UAE also announced this week that it will introduce Holocaust education at both the primary and secondary level.
  • Jordan continues to decline invitations to attend the Forum, citing the non-inclusion of the Palestinians. A US State Department official this week described the ongoing absence of Jordanian officials as constituting an “empty chair at the table”.
  • US officials have been keen to persuade Amman to participate, with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken raising the issue once more on a phone call with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi last Friday.
  • Alongside Egyptian overtures to Ramallah, the question of Palestinian involvement was also discussed last July during President Biden’s meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, with the latter said to have confirmed to Biden that his government was not interested in participating under current conditions.
  • The US continues to update Palestinian officials on the forum’s discussions, and an idea floated last year was that Jordan and the Palestinians would join the working groups in an observer capacity.
  • The US stressed that the forum’s work still sought to benefit the Palestinians: “You’ll likely see projects that are not targeted specifically at the Palestinians per se,” said an official, “but broader regional projects that [they] will be able to benefit from just like the other countries involved…”
  • Although Israeli-Palestinian peace is not a formal priority of the forum, its Regional Cooperation Framework (agreed by the Bennett-Lapid government in November 2022 but only released this week) did express the ambition that its work could be “harnessed to create momentum in Israeli-Palestinian relations, towards a negotiated resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and as part of efforts to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.”
  • Ushpiz, however, said: “Our line is very clear and my instructions going in were very clear ­- the Negev forum is about strengthening regional integration and improving people’s lives and we don’t want it to engage in political discussions about the Palestinian issue.”
  • Analyst Barak Ravid cites Israeli officials disclosing that several of the participating Arab states had wanted the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to be mentioned in the meeting’s closing statement but that these proposals were rejected by Israeli officials.
  • Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem, meanwhile, condemned the Arab states’ participation as an “insistence on the sin of their normalisation with the Occupation State”.

The forum’s next meeting – at the “Annual Ministerial” level – will take place in Morocco in the Spring.

  • By that time, Prime Minister Netanyahu will hope to have made his first official visit to the UAE.
  • According to reports, officials in Washington plan to invite the Foreign Minister of an unnamed and as yet uninvolved Muslim African state.

January 13, 2023

Negev Forum continues to build on regional cooperation

What happened: Israeli Foreign Ministry Director Alon Ushpiz and 20 other Israeli officials joined counterparts from Morocco, Bahrain, the UAE, Egypt, and the US in Abu Dhabi for the first official meeting of the Forum’s working groups.

  • A total of 150 participants met in what organisers say was the largest gathering of Israeli and Arab officials since the 1991 Madrid Summit.
  • Israeli ministries represented included defence, intelligence, economy, agriculture, energy, health, tourism, and education. Officials from the National Security Council and the Water Authority were also present.
  • Amidst a week of domestic political tension and recrimination, the forum presented a rare opportunity for bipartisan celebration. Opposition leader Yair Lapid described images from the summit as “extremely moving” and tweeted that “our vision of a ‘statesmanship of connections’ is taking form and is bringing the Middle East to new achievements of regional stability and cooperation.”
  • Away from the Forum, new Foreign Minister Eli Cohen spoke with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Tuesday. Cohen then joined Economy Minister Nik Barkat in meeting with UK minister for the Middle East region Lord Ahmed in Jerusalem on Wednesday, with discussions focussing on regional security and the long hoped-for free trade deal between the .

Context: The Negev Forum was a 2022 initiative of the US and then-Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, designed to create a “permanent forum” to deepen the Abraham Accords, strengthen Arab-Israeli ties, and address issues of mutual concern.

  • Its inaugural meeting, attended by the Foreign Ministers of all members, was held in March last year in Sde Boker, followed by subsequent meetings in June and October.
  • The Working Groups are divided into six issue areas-
    • Regional security
    • Clean energy
    • Food and water security
    • Health
    • Tourism
    • Education and coexistence.
  • It can already point to its achievements in increased tourism and direct flights between Israel and the Arab members, as well as the expansion of trade and academic and cultural exchange.
  • Israel currently chairs the education and coexistence group, and co-chairs the food and water security team with Morocco.
  • Officials stressed the importance of the latter group in the context of the continued disruption of the global supply of grain and other vital ingredients caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
  • Israeli Foreign Ministry officials stressed that the decision of all other Forum states to publicly criticise Minister Ben Gvir’s recent visit to the Temple Mount would have no bearing on discussions, and further signs of the increased cooperation between Israel and the UAE were evident during and beyond the Forum.
  • This week, Israel and UAE held their first official financial dialogue meeting (virtually). Shira Greenberg, chief economist and director of state revenue, research, and international affairs at the Israeli Ministry of Finance joined Younis Haji Al Khoori, under-secretary of the UAE’s Ministry of Finance, to discuss opportunities for financial cooperation.
  • The UAE also announced this week that it will introduce Holocaust education at both the primary and secondary level.

“Empty chairs”

  • Jordan continues to decline invitations to attend the Forum, citing the non-inclusion of the Palestinians. A US State Department official this week described the ongoing absence of Jordanian officials as constituting an “empty chair at the table”.
  • US officials have been keen to persuade Amman to participate, with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken raising the issue once more on a phone call with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi last Friday.
  • Alongside Egyptian overtures to Ramallah, the question of Palestinian involvement was also discussed last July during President Biden’s meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, with the latter said to have confirmed to Biden that his government was not interested in participating under current conditions.
  • The US continues to update Palestinian officials on the forum’s discussions, and an idea floated last year was that Jordan and the Palestinians would join the working groups in an observer capacity.
  • The US stressed that the forum’s work still sought to benefit the Palestinians: “You’ll likely see projects that are not targeted specifically at the Palestinians per se,” said an official, “but broader regional projects that [they] will be able to benefit from just like the other countries involved…”
  • Although Israeli-Palestinian peace is not a formal priority of the forum, its Regional Cooperation Framework (agreed by the Bennett-Lapid government in November 2022 but only released this week) did express the ambition that its work could be “harnessed to create momentum in Israeli-Palestinian relations, towards a negotiated resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and as part of efforts to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.”
  • Ushpiz, however, said: “Our line is very clear and my instructions going in were very clear ­- the Negev forum is about strengthening regional integration and improving people’s lives and we don’t want it to engage in political discussions about the Palestinian issue.”
  • Analyst Barak Ravid cites Israeli officials disclosing that several of the participating Arab states had wanted the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to be mentioned in the meeting’s closing statement but that these proposals were rejected by Israeli officials.
  • Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem, meanwhile, condemned the Arab states’ participation as an “insistence on the sin of their normalisation with the Occupation State”.

Looking ahead: The forum’s next meeting – at the “Annual Ministerial” level – will take place in Morocco in the Spring.

  • By that time, Prime Minister Netanyahu will hope to have made his first official visit to the UAE.
  • According to reports, officials in Washington plan to invite the Foreign Minister of an unnamed and as yet uninvolved Muslim African state.

January 4, 2023

Netanyahu announces Security Cabinet

Following the swearing in of the new government last week, yesterday Prime Minister Netanyahu announced the makeup of the Security Cabinet.

  • Netanyahu will chair the committee. The other members will be:
    • Defence Minister, Yoav Galant, Likud
    • Justice Minister, Yariv Levin, Likud
    • Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, Likud
    • Interior Minister and Health Minister, Aryeh Deri, Shas
    • National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Jewish Power
    • Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, Religious Zionists
    • Strategic Affairs Minister, Ron Dermer
    • Transportation Minister, Miri Regev, Likud
    • Energy Minister, Yisrael Katz, Likud
    • Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Avi Dichter, Likud

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen began his tenure with a handover meeting with former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.

  • Cohen also began engaging with foreign leaders, speaking to UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed and with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.  According to the Times of Israel the latter asked Cohen to pass a message onto Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov when the pair spoke later in the day, but did not reveal the content of the message.
  • Defence Minister Gallant announced the appointment Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir as the new director general of the ministry. Zamir, the former IDF deputy Chief of Staff also previously served as Netanyahu’s military secretary and recently missed out on the top IDF position when former Defence Minister Gantz appointed Maj. Gen. Herzi Halevi instead.

In parallel: There was widespread international condemnation of Minister Ben Gvir’s visit to the Temple Mount yesterday.

  • Unlike in the past, when Ben Gvir has been accompanied by journalists and fanfare, this time he entered the compound early in the morning, discreetly through a side entrance, with the whole visit lasting less than 15 minutes.
  • The visit was coordinated with Netanyahu and the police and followed consultations with the wider security establishment.
  • The visit coincided with the tenth of Tevet, a fast day to commemorate the Babylonian siege and eventual destruction of the First Temple.
  • Following the visit, Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated his long standing commitment to “strictly maintaining the status quo, without changes, on the Temple Mount,” whereby it is permitted for non-Muslims to visit the site but not to conduct prayer services.  (For more reactions to the visit see media summary below).
  • Last night a single rocket was fired towards Israel. The rocket fell short and landed in an open field inside the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu carefully weighted the security cabinet, ensuring a majority for moderate loyalists.

  • In addition, he has also appointed long term ally Tzachi Hanegbi (who did not reach a realistic spot in the Likud primaries) to serve as his National Security Adviser.
  • It is rare for an Israeli political leader to produce an heir, let alone two; credit to former Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon who retired from politics two years ago. He brought both the current defence and foreign ministers into politics in his Kulanu Party, before re-joining the Likud.
  • Foreign Minister Cohen served as minister for intelligence in the last Netanyahu government, playing a key role in reaching the normalisation agreement with Sudan.
  • Since the government was sworn in, Netanyahu has also spoken to an array of regional leaders including Egyptian President Sisi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whom Netanyahu intends to visit soon.
  • There is concern that Netanyahu’s priority of strengthening regional alliances and expanding the Abraham Accords will be jeopardised by Ben Gvir’s actions.

Tomorrow the UN Security Council is expected to convene at the behest of the UAE, on behalf of Jordan and the Palestinian Authority to discuss the situation on the Temple Mount.

  • Foreign Minister Cohen hopes to continue the momentum of the Negev Forum, inaugurated last year in Sde Boker, which included the foreign ministers of Israel, Egypt, UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and the US. They are planning to convene in Morocco in March.

January 4, 2023

Netanyahu announces makeup of Security Council amid Ben Gvir controversy

What happened: Following the swearing in of the new government last week, yesterday Prime Minister Netanyahu announced the makeup of the Security Cabinet.

  • Netanyahu will chair the committee. The other members will be:
    • Defence Minister, Yoav Galant, Likud
    • Justice Minister, Yariv Levin, Likud
    • Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, Likud
    • Interior Minister and Health Minister, Aryeh Deri, Shas
    • National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Jewish Power
    • Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, Religious Zionists
    • Strategic Affairs Minister, Ron Dermer
    • Transportation Minister, Miri Regev, Likud
    • Energy Minister, Yisrael Katz, Likud
    • Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Avi Dichter, Likud
  • Foreign Minister Eli Cohen began his tenure with a handover meeting with former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.
  • Cohen also began engaging with foreign leaders, speaking to UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed and with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.  According to the Times of Israel the latter asked Cohen to pass a message onto Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov when the pair spoke later in the day, but did not reveal the content of the message.
  • Defence Minister Gallant announced the appointment Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir as the new director general of the ministry. Zamir, the former IDF deputy Chief of Staff also previously served as Netanyahu’s military secretary and recently missed out on the top IDF position when former Defence Minister Gantz appointed Maj. Gen. Herzi Halevi instead.

In parallel: There was widespread international condemnation of Minister Ben Gvir’s visit to the Temple Mount yesterday.

  • Unlike in the past, when Ben Gvir has been accompanied by journalists and fanfare, this time he entered the compound early in the morning, discreetly through a side entrance, with the whole visit lasting less than 15 minutes.
  • The visit was coordinated with Netanyahu and the police and followed consultations with the wider security establishment.
  • The visit coincided with the tenth of Tevet, a fast day to commemorate the Babylonian siege and eventual destruction of the First Temple.
  • Following the visit, Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated his long standing commitment to “strictly maintaining the status quo, without changes, on the Temple Mount,” whereby it is permitted for non-Muslims to visit the site but not to conduct prayer services.  (For more reactions to the visit see media summary below).
  • Last night a single rocket was fired towards Israel. The rocket fell short and landed in an open field inside the Gaza Strip.

Context: Netanyahu carefully weighted the security cabinet, ensuring a majority for moderate loyalists.

  • In addition, he has also appointed long term ally Tzachi Hanegbi (who did not reach a realistic spot in the Likud primaries) to serve as his National Security Adviser.
  • It is rare for an Israeli political leader to produce an heir, let alone two; credit to former Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon who retired from politics two years ago. He brought both the current defence and foreign ministers into politics in his Kulanu Party, before re-joining the Likud.
  • Foreign Minister Cohen served as minister for intelligence in the last Netanyahu government, playing a key role in reaching the normalisation agreement with Sudan.
  • Since the government was sworn in, Netanyahu has also spoken to an array of regional leaders including Egyptian President Sisi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whom Netanyahu intends to visit soon.
  • There is concern that Netanyahu’s priority of strengthening regional alliances and expanding the Abraham Accords will be jeopardised by Ben Gvir’s actions.

Looking ahead: Tomorrow the UN Security Council is expected to convene at the behest of the UAE, on behalf of Jordan and the Palestinian Authority to discuss the situation on the Temple Mount.

  • Foreign Minister Cohen hopes to continue the momentum of the Negev Forum, inaugurated last year in Sde Boker, which included the foreign ministers of Israel, Egypt, UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and the US. They are planning to convene in Morocco in March.

January 3, 2023

New Israeli Government Sworn In

What happened: Israel’s 37th government was sworn in yesterday, almost two months after the November 1st election.

  • The government will be led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who returns to rule the country for the third time (and heads his sixth government).
  • Netanyahu said his government’s top priorities would be:
    • To prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
    • To restore security and governance.
    • To deal with the cost of living and housing problems.
    • To expand the circle of peace (a reference to implementing further accords with Arab states following the Abraham Accords).
  • Similar to when Naftali Bennet became prime minister (and Netanyahu lost) 18 months ago, there was no formal handover ceremony with the outgoing prime minister, Yair Lapid. Instead, he and Netanyahu held a handover meeting.
  • In an unprecedented move the Attorney General Baharav-Miara was not invited to the first cabinet meeting that was held after the swearing in. However, Netanyahu plans to meet her on Sunday.
  • Also yesterday, the Knesset elected a new speaker- Likud MK Amir Ohana. He becomes the Knesset’s first openly gay speaker.

The new cabinet: Overall there will be 31 government ministers, of which five are women.

  • Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Likud
  • Minister of Defence, Yoav Gallant, Likud. A former IDF Maj. Gen.
  • Minister of Foreign Affairs*, Eli Cohen, Likud. Originally entered the Knesset with the Kulanu Party.
  • Minister of Finance, Betzalel Smotrich, Religious Zionists. Will also have responsibility for West Bank Civil Administration.
  • Minister of Justice, Yariv Levin, Likud. Expected to lead on judicial reform.
  • Minister of Interior minister & Health minister, Aryeh Deri, Shas. Will rotate and become finance minister in two years.
  • Minister of Education, Yoav Kish, Likud. Grandson of Brig. Frederick Kish, highest ranking Jew in the British Army during World War II.
  • Minister of Transportation, Miri Regev, Likud. Returns to her former role.
  • Minister for Housing and Construction, Yitzhak Goldknopf, United Torah Judaism. New leader of his party, first time in the Knesset.
  • Minister for National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, Jewish Power. Formerly public security, now with expanded remit.
  • Minister for Environmental Protection, Idit Silman, Likud. Former Yamina rebel.
  • Minister of Energy*, Israel Katz, Likud. Former finance and foreign minister.
  • Minister of Communications, Shlomo Karhi, Likud. First ministerial post.
  • Minister for Economy and Industry, Nir Barkat, Likud. Former mayor of Jerusalem.
  • Minister of Welfare, Yaakov Margi, Shas. Former minister for religious services
  • Minister of Tourism, Haim Katz, Likud. Was under criminal investigation, received suspended sentence with plea bargain.
  • Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Ofir Akunis, Likud. Returns to previous portfolio.
  • Minister of Agriculture, Avi Dichter, Likud. Former public security minister and head of Shin Bet security service.
  • Minister for Diaspora affairs and Social Equality, Amichai Chikli, Likud. Declared a renegade Yamina MK, before joining Likud.
  • Minister for Culture and Sports, Miki Zohar, Likud. Former Chief Whip.
  • Minister for Intelligence, Gila Gamliel, Likud. One of few Likud MKs to have endorsed two state solution.
  • Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer. The only minister not an MK, long term confidant of Netanyahu, and former Ambassador to US.
  • Minister for Religious Affairs, Michael Malchieli, Shas. Former Jerusalem Councillor.
  • Minister for National Missions, Orit Strock, Religious Zionists. This is a new ministry, with responsibility over West Bank settlements, national service, and pre-military academies.
  • Minister for Immigration and Absorption, Ofir Sofer, Religious Zionists. Disabled IDF veteran.
  • Minister for Jerusalem and Tradition, Meir Porush, United Torah Judaism. Rebranded from the Jerusalem and Heritage ministry.
  • Minister for the development of the Negev and the Galilee, Yitzhak Wasserlauf, Jewish Power. First time MK, youngest minister aged 30.
  • Minister of Heritage, Amichai Eliyahu, Jewish Power. First time MK, grandson of former Sephardic chief rabbi.
  • Minister within the Prime Minister’s Office, Galit Distel Atbaryan, Likud. Novelist, originally given reserved slot on Likud list by Netanyahu.
  • Minister within the Education Ministry, Haim Biton, Shas. Former head of Shas schools network.
  • Minister within the Welfare Ministry, Yoav Ben-Tzur, Shas. Holds a master’s degree from the University of Manchester.

(*will rotate after a year, then rotate back in third year)

Context: Netanyahu previously served as prime minister from 1996-99 and again from 2009-21- a total of 15 years, already making him the country’s longest serving prime minister.

  • Despite its homogeneous makeup, the government needed the full time allocation (and an extension) to be formed. This was chiefly due to the coalition partners’ insistence on passing significant pieces of legislation before the government was sworn in. These included:
    • An amendment to Basic Law: Government. It now states that an offence for which an individual was given a suspended prison sentence will not be considered to bear moral turpitude. The distinction between a custodial and suspended sentence allows Aryeh Deri to serve as a minister.
    • The second part of the amendment will now allow Smotrich to simultaneously serve as finance minister and a minister in the defence ministry. As such, he will be given authority over the Civil Administration and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories.
    • Ben Gvir will receive expanded powers over the Israel Police. The newly named national security minister will set police policy priorities and work plans.
    • A law was also passed limiting the ability of four rebel MKs to break away and form a separate faction. The law reverts to the previous situation, requiring a third of a party’s MKs to split for a separate faction to be recognised. This tweak was aimed at preventing disgruntled Likud MKs from rebelling.
  • Some have interpreted the necessity to pass these laws as a sign of lack of trust in Netanyahu among his partners.
  • With centrist parties refusing to sit with Netanyahu because of his own ongoing trial, Netanyahu was forced to accept conditions laid out by his coalition partners. However, now the government has been formed not all those promises will necessarily be implemented as the coalition agreements and the government guidelines are themselves not legally binding.
  • In the build-up to forming the government there has been significant focus on its most extreme members, particularly Itamar Ben-Gvir. Yesterday he offered assurances saying, “We came to serve everyone. I will be a minister for everyone. For Jews and Arabs, who are suffering too, from crime.”
  • Similarly, earlier in the week Bezalel Smotrich wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal in which he said that “we seek to strengthen every citizen’s freedoms and the country’s democratic institutions.”
    • He continued: “On matters of religion and state, the new government will never seek to impose anything on a citizen that goes against his or her beliefs. We wish only to increase the freedom of religious people to participate in the public sphere in accordance with their faith, without coercion on secular people.”
    • “My critics also mischaracterise the reforms I’ve proposed in my secondary role as a minister in the Defence Ministry with responsibility for certain civil issues in Judea and Samaria. Whatever one’s opinion on ending the Israeli-Arab conflict, the current situation in these regions, in which a feckless military government lacks the civil-service orientation required for governing civil life, is unsustainable. The army needs to deal with security and leave governing to a civil system capable of providing efficient service and protecting individual rights. Our reforms are aimed at developing the area’s infrastructure, employment and economy for the benefit of all. This doesn’t entail changing the political or legal status of the area. If the Palestinian Authority decides to dedicate some of its time and energy to its citizens’ welfare rather than demonising Jews and funding the murder of Israelis, it would find me a full partner in that endeavour.”
    • “Israel’s justice system also needs urgent reform to restore democratic balance, individual rights and public trust. In the U.S., elected politicians appoint federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, making the bench at least indirectly responsive to the people. In Israel, sitting Supreme Court justices have veto power over new appointments to the court.”
  • The only non-parliamentarian appointed minister is former Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer. Dermer has long been Netanyahu’s most trusted adviser and served as a key figure in the signing of the Abraham Accords. He will now serve as Minister for Strategic Affairs and will likely work on reaching a normalisation agreement with Saudi Arabia.

Opposition to the new government: Domestic opposition to the new government has been extensive and has come from various sectors:

  • During the swearing in hundreds of people protested outside the Knesset, many of whom identified with the LGBTQ community and were concerned by the appointments of figures with a record of anti-LGBTQ positions to cabinet roles.
    • In recent weeks thousands have attended other protests organised by outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid party.
    • Last week leading figures in Israeli high-tech industry wrote a letter of protest to Netanyahu in which they shared their concerns about the new government.
    • Over 200 senior doctors signed a document highlighting their concern about the collapse of the legal system.
    • Over 1,000 past and present pilots and aircrew members from the Air Force sent a letter to the president of the Supreme Court, Esther Hayut, asking that she stop democracy from being destroyed.
    • Several large companies announced that they would not cooperate with any form of discrimination. Israel Discount Bank announced that it would not extend credit to any business or organisation that discriminates on the basis of religion, race, gender or sexual orientation. The Vice President at Microsoft Corporation made a similar commitment.
    • Over 100 former diplomats also wrote to Netanyahu, with “profound concern at the serious damage to Israel’s foreign relations, its international standing and its core interests abroad emanating from what will apparently be the policy of the incoming government.”
    • In early December, over 50 Israeli local authorities pre-emptively declared that they would refuse to cooperate with policies proceeding from Deputy Minister (and sole Noam MK) Avi Moaz’s education brief.

Looking ahead: The first legal hurdle will be next Thursday when an expanded panel of 11 Supreme Court justices will rule on petitions that have been filed against the appointment of Aryeh Deri as minister.

  • If the court rules against the appointment it is likely to precipitate the coalition advancing legislation to override the court.
  • The Ultra-orthodox are demanding the passing of a military draft bill and are threatening to impose a veto against the 2023 budget if this issue is not resolved. Without passing a budget the government will fall.

December 7, 2022

Herzog formally received in Bahrain

What happened in Bahrain: President Herzog was formally received on a State Visit by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

  • On departure Herzog framed the trip as “a visit of peace….bringing and delivering a message of peace is another step toward the inclusion of Israel in the region built on cooperation for the wellbeing of the nations of the region. Inshallah, we will bring another step toward peace.”
  • In their meeting, President Herzog and King Hamad discussed the importance that their countries attach to their bilateral relationship and the expansion of Israeli-Bahraini cooperation.
  • Herzog told him, “You are at the forefront of making history in the region, where Jews and Muslims can dwell together, the sons of Abraham, and move forward in peace. It is a long process, but we can dream of it and we can see it. Our nations joined the path of peace and the Kingdom of Bahrain is really one of the pioneers in this process, joining other nations that are pursuing peace together for the benefit and wellbeing of our peoples and the nations in the region and the world at large.”
  • King Hamad said, “we are confident that this visit has an important role in consolidating relations between our two countries,” and to witness the “spirit of friendliness, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among the members of our honourable society of all religions and races, reaffirming our belief in the values of peace, brotherhood and cooperation among human beings.”
  • President Isaac Herzog also met with representatives of the Jewish community of Bahrain, which included Houda Nonoo, former Bahraini ambassador to the US.
  • To coincide with the visit Herzog wrote an op-ed in the Bahraini media. Having signed the Abraham Accords two years ago Herzog wrote, the task is now “making sure the benefits of regional friendly relations reach each and every Israeli and Bahraini.” He cited direct flights, a free trade agreement, and “envisions a future of student exchanges, of joint projects between youth, of collaborative ventures between universities—not only between Israel and Bahrain, but with our broader region.”
  • He highlighted the climate crisis “in which our small countries can and must punch above our weight.” He added, “our mission is to create a Renewable Middle East: a regional ecosystem of sustainable peace, in which we all join forces to provide common solutions to our common challenges. Southern Israel is already powered 100% by solar energy in the daytime, and when you open the faucet in much of our land, the water you drink is all desalinated. We want to scale up these solutions with our new friends, using our respective advantages to bring clean water and clean energy to Europe, Asia, and Africa.”
  • In Abu Dhabi: President Herzog delivered a keynote speech at the Abu Dhabi Space Debate.
  • In his speech the President noted, “I am proud of Israel’s close cooperation with NASA, the European Space Agency, and our counterparts in France, Italy, Germany, Japan, Brazil, and many other countries. But I am especially proud of our evolving space partnership with the United Arab Emirates. Our two countries are boldly leading our region toward new frontiers in space and leaving our mark on history.”
  • He highlighted the importance of transnational partnerships but also in education. He noted, “In Israel, we have introduced the TEVEL program, which is already working with high school students from across the country, Jews and Arabs alike. They are building, testing, and launching nanosatellites into space, and then using them to gather data and conduct experiments. Israel invites all the countries here to work with us to expand this program regionally and internationally. Together, we will harness the collective creativity, genius and wonder of our youth. And I would like to invite all of you to partake in this incredible venture.”
  • Herzog also had a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in his private home.
  • President bin Zayed said: “Thank you very much, Mr. President, for coming back again to your second home. It really means a lot to us. This is a new relationship, and we are trying to build a very strong bridge between our two countries, and I think we have built a very strong bridge that we are both proud of. The Abraham Accords are achieving their goals, so we are very proud.”
  • This was the first official visit of an Israeli president to Bahrain. However both former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid (while serving as foreign minister) have visited before.
  • This was the fifth meeting between Herzog and bin Zayed, since meeting last year they have kept in touch, including several telephone calls.
  • The Jewish community in Manama immigrated in the early 1880s, mostly from Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait.
  • Trade between Israel and the UAE is growing at an impressive rate. According to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, Israeli imports from the UAE grew from $551m in 2021 to $1,398m this year. Israeli exports rose from $272m last year to $430m in 2022.
  • Beyond economic relations, there is also emerging security cooperation. Israeli media reported last month that two Israeli Barak air defence systems have been deployed in the UAE to defend against a range of aerial threats emanating from Iran.
  • As the signatory of the Abraham Accords two years ago, Designated Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to visit Bahrain and the UAE on his first diplomatic trip abroad.
  • Israel and Bahrain hope to complete a free trade agreement before the end of the year.

December 7, 2022

Herzog in Bahrain

What happened in Bahrain: President Herzog was formally received on a State Visit by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Bahrain.

  • On departure Herzog framed the trip as “a visit of peace….bringing and delivering a message of peace is another step toward the inclusion of Israel in the region built on cooperation for the wellbeing of the nations of the region. Inshallah, we will bring another step toward peace.”
  • In their meeting, President Herzog and King Hamad discussed the importance that their countries attach to their bilateral relationship and the expansion of Israeli-Bahraini cooperation.
  • Herzog told him, “You are at the forefront of making history in the region, where Jews and Muslims can dwell together, the sons of Abraham, and move forward in peace. It is a long process, but we can dream of it and we can see it. Our nations joined the path of peace and the Kingdom of Bahrain is really one of the pioneers in this process, joining other nations that are pursuing peace together for the benefit and wellbeing of our peoples and the nations in the region and the world at large.”
  • King Hamad said, “we are confident that this visit has an important role in consolidating relations between our two countries,” and to witness the “spirit of friendliness, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among the members of our honourable society of all religions and races, reaffirming our belief in the values of peace, brotherhood and cooperation among human beings.”
  • President Isaac Herzog also met with representatives of the Jewish community of Bahrain, which included Houda Nonoo, former Bahraini ambassador to the US.
  • To coincide with the visit Herzog wrote an op-ed in the Bahraini media. Having signed the Abraham Accords two years ago Herzog wrote, the task is now “making sure the benefits of regional friendly relations reach each and every Israeli and Bahraini.” He cited direct flights, a free trade agreement, and “envisions a future of student exchanges, of joint projects between youth, of collaborative ventures between universities—not only between Israel and Bahrain, but with our broader region.”
  • He highlighted the climate crisis “in which our small countries can and must punch above our weight.” He added, “our mission is to create a Renewable Middle East: a regional ecosystem of sustainable peace, in which we all join forces to provide common solutions to our common challenges. Southern Israel is already powered 100% by solar energy in the daytime, and when you open the faucet in much of our land, the water you drink is all desalinated. We want to scale up these solutions with our new friends, using our respective advantages to bring clean water and clean energy to Europe, Asia, and Africa.”

In Abu Dhabi: President Herzog delivered a keynote speech at the Abu Dhabi Space Debate.

  • In his speech the President noted, “I am proud of Israel’s close cooperation with NASA, the European Space Agency, and our counterparts in France, Italy, Germany, Japan, Brazil, and many other countries. But I am especially proud of our evolving space partnership with the United Arab Emirates. Our two countries are boldly leading our region toward new frontiers in space and leaving our mark on history.”
  • He highlighted the importance of transnational partnerships but also in education. He noted, “In Israel, we have introduced the TEVEL program, which is already working with high school students from across the country, Jews and Arabs alike. They are building, testing, and launching nanosatellites into space, and then using them to gather data and conduct experiments. Israel invites all the countries here to work with us to expand this program regionally and internationally. Together, we will harness the collective creativity, genius and wonder of our youth. And I would like to invite all of you to partake in this incredible venture.”
  • Herzog also had a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in his private home.
  • President bin Zayed said: “Thank you very much, Mr. President, for coming back again to your second home. It really means a lot to us. This is a new relationship, and we are trying to build a very strong bridge between our two countries, and I think we have built a very strong bridge that we are both proud of. The Abraham Accords are achieving their goals, so we are very proud.”

Israel in the WorldContext: This was the first official visit of an Israeli president to Bahrain. However both former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid (while serving as foreign minister) have visited before.

  • This was the fifth meeting between Herzog and bin Zayed, since meeting last year they have kept in touch, including several telephone calls.
  • The Jewish community in Manama immigrated in the early 1880s, mostly from Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait.
  • Trade between Israel and the UAE is growing at an impressive rate. According to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, Israeli imports from the UAE grew from $551m in 2021 to $1,398m this year. Israeli exports rose from $272m last year to $430m in 2022.
  • Beyond economic relations, there is also emerging security cooperation. Israeli media reported last month that two Israeli Barak air defence systems have been deployed in the UAE to defend against a range of aerial threats emanating from Iran.

Looking forward: As the signatory of the Abraham Accords two years ago, Designated Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to visit Bahrain and the UAE on his first diplomatic trip abroad.

  • Israel and Bahrain hope to complete a free trade agreement before the end of the year.

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