Emphasizing Israel’s Peace and Security Can Bridge
the Two-State Gap
The international community is abuzz with talk of Palestinian statehood, but Israelis are understandably not yet ready to have the conversation. Senior Policy and Communications Associate Alex Lederman explains in The Hill how this issue should be framed in terms of security to get Israel on board.
This Week in Israel Policy News:
- In response to the ceasefire framework agreed to by Israel last week, Hamas presented a counter-offer that would include a 135-day truce, the release of hostages in several stages, and a full IDF withdrawal from Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected the Hamas proposal.
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to the Middle East for another regional tour— including stops in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority—in an effort to advance an Israel-Hamas hostage-release deal.
- Israel announced that 32 of the more than 130 hostages in Gaza are confirmed dead, and that at at least 20 more could be as well.
- Yesterday, high-level officials from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority met in Riyadh for a summit focused on the day after in Gaza.
- Tensions escalated on the Israel-Lebanon border yesterday, when an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon reportedly killed a senior Hizballah commander.
- The IDF plans to increase the length of military service for conscripts and reservists. The announcement of the plan brought frustrations over the Haredi community's exemption from military service back to the fore.
- Israel has escalated its bombing and shelling of Rafah, with Prime Minister Netanyahu announcing that Israel could soon extend its ground operation to this final Hamas stronghold along the Egyptian border, despite concerns from Cairo. The prime
minister has ordered the IDF to develop a plan to evacuate civilians before the ground offensive began.
UNRWA Must Be Phased Out. But Right Now, Israel’s Interests Depend on It.
Despite its systemic flaws, UNRWA currently serves an important strategic function for Israel—and must continue to do so through this war. Writing in The Forward, Senior Policy and Communications Associate Alex Lederman explains why inducing UNRWA's collapse would be a mistake in the short term.
Israel at War | Resource Hub
Our experts are providing substantive and sober analysis daily amid one of the most consequential moments in Israel's history.
Visit our Israel at War resource hub for a compilation of our timely content, including an updated FAQ section on the war, a comprehensive timeline of the Israel-Hamas conflict, articles, an interactive map of Gaza and the Gaza Envelope detailing the Hamas terror attack on October 7 and subsequent war in Gaza, infographics, podcasts, videos, and more.
This Week's Koplow Column
Recognizing a Palestinian state seems like a bold step toward progress. But it provides no tangible benefits for Palestinians and could backfire by putting a two-state outcome further out of reach, explains Chief Policy Officer Michael Koplow in this Koplow Column.
Israel Policy Forum in the Community
Join Rodef Sholom on Thursday, February 15 at 7-8:30pm PT on Zoom for a briefing from Israel Policy Forum CEO David Halperin on rebuilding for the future in the Gaza Strip and Israel. David will draw on his expertise to take us beyond the headlines to better understand what's happening in Israel and Gaza, its effect on U.S.-Israel relations, and what lies ahead for Israel's future as secure, Jewish, and democratic.
Dr. Shira Efron's Trip to California
Last week, Dr. Shira Efron, Israel Policy Forum’s Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Senior Director of Policy Research, traveled from Israel to California for a series of special engagements, including a briefing hosted by the JCRC of Silicon Valley. During her time on the West Coast, Shira also spoke at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles.
IPF Atid Chicago Happy Hour
IPF Atid Chicago hosted a happy hour to get to know new Atidniks who recently joined the chapter and discuss Israel Policy Forum's policy priorities in 2024.
IPF Atid NY hosted a book club with Laura Blumenfeld, author of Revenge: A Story of Hope. The group discussed the author's journey to confront the man who attempted to kill her father in a terror attack and the complexities of forgiveness and revenge.
IPF Atid Policy Fellowship Application
This IPF Atid Policy Fellowship is a yearlong, paid fellowship offered to one student per campus who is passionate about Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, the two-state outcome, Middle East policy, and building relationships with fellow students locally and nationally. This student is committed to promoting informed, policy-based discourse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Fellows will be part of an intimate national cohort of campus leaders who will learn together and support each other. Components of the fellowship
include: - Training with IPF Atid staff on Israel Policy Forum’s approach, values, policy positions, and reports.
- Meeting one on one with fellow students to introduce them to IPF Atid.
- Organizing student events featuring Israel Policy Forum speakers and resources, and/or writing op-eds in support of Israel Policy Forum’s policy positions..
- Mentorship and logistical support from IPF Atid staff.
- A stipend of $500 upon completion of fellowship.
Please note that there are 10
spots available for this fellowship. For more information and FAQ, please visit: ipf.li/policyfellowship The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March
13. If you have any questions, please email IPF Atid Coordinator of Leadership Initiatives Max Webb at mwebb@ipforum.org.
IPF Atid Summer Delegation Application
Applications are open for the 2024 IPF Atid Summer Delegation to Israel and the West Bank for leaders of IPF Atid chapters across North America. The group will go on field tours with Israel Policy Forum experts and meet with Israeli and Palestinian thought leaders, analysts, activists, and journalists.
Read: Hamas Proposes Lengthy Ceasefire as Part of Israel Hostage Deal
By Neri Zilber, Raya Jalabi, and Andrew England in Financial Times
Hamas' demands face strong resistance inside Israel. Read here.
Read: Israel Talks Steps to Help West Bank Economy in Covert Meeting With PA Officials
By Jacob Magid in The Times of Israel
Representatives convene in Tel Aviv to discuss easing tensions ahead of Ramadan. Abbas meets Blinken and said he is planning summit with Hamas leaders in Qatar. Read here.
Read: Benjamin Netanyahu Rejects Delusional Hamas Terms For Hostage Deal
By Neri Zilber, Raya Jalabi, and James Shotter in Financial Times
Israel’s prime minister says the agreement with Hamas will lead to ‘another massacre.' Read here.
Read: The Israel-Hamas Deal Is Not Dead Yet, Even if Netanyahu Says Otherwise
By Amos Harel in Haaretz
Contrary to the impression created by the prime minister, Hamas' answer seems to leave room for maneuver for an agreement. The tactical achievements during the war don't guarantee Israel a 'total' strategic victory. The burden of service is expanding, but not for the ultra-Orthodox. Read here.
Read: Senate Votes to Advance Foreign Aid Package With Assistance for Ukraine and Israel
By Clare Foran, Lauren Fox, Ted Barrett, and Morgan Rimmer in CNN
The Senate on Thursday voted to advance a $95.3 billion foreign aid package that provides assistance for Israel and Ukraine after Republicans blocked a broader bill that included border security measures earlier this week. Read here.
Read: Netanyahu's Refrain of Fighting Hamas Until 'Total Victory' Is a Fantasy
By Anshel Pfeffer in Haaretz
Benjamin Netanyahu thinks he is Winston Churchill, with the constant talk of 'total victory' in the war with Hamas. What he refuses to accept is that he's actually appeaser Neville Chamberlain in his WWII cosplaying. The Israeli public's trust in him has been fundamentally broken. Read here.
Read: Biden Says Countries Receiving U.S. Weapons Must Adhere to International Law
By Yasmeen Abutaleb and Liz Goodwin in The Washington Post
The memorandum does not include new guidelines or conditions but instead calls for the State Department to receive written assurances from countries receiving U.S. weapons that they will abide by existing U.S. standards. Read here.
Open Position: Director of Strategic Communications and Media Relations
Reporting to the CEO, the Director, Strategic Communications and Media Relations (DSC) will lead efforts to raise the visibility and profile of Israel Policy Forum, its mission, research and analysis, young professional and community education programs, and leadership in traditional and new media platforms. Working in close partnership with the Director of Content and Marketing, and with support from other members of the communications department, the DSC will develop and implement strategies to elevate awareness of Israel Policy Forum, its policy experts, key staff and lay leaders, resources, and programs among journalists and other target audiences within the policy and Jewish communities. Click here for more information and to apply.
Open Position: Director of Individual Giving
Under the guidance of the Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO), and supported by the Donor Engagement Associate (DEA), the Director of Individual Giving (DIG) will support an individual fundraising plan that incorporates new and ongoing initiatives including the launch of a national ambassador committee, donor solicitation and stewardship, a recurring giving program, virtual and in-person fundraising and cultivation events, delegation travel to the Middle East, project underwriting, and legacy giving. Click here for more information and to apply.
Open Position: Program Associate, IPF Atid
Working in close collaboration with the IPF Atid team and alongside the wider Israel Policy Forum staff, the Program Associate will expand the impact and reach of IPF Atid by strengthening the IPF Atid leadership community, initiating new program concepts, evaluating program impact and success, and working strategically to develop new methods to strengthen network engagement and reach new communities of young professionals across the nation. Click here for more information and to apply.
The Weekly Briefing is a round-up of this week's news and analysis on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, U.S.-Israel relations, Israeli politics, and future prospects for a two-state outcome. Included are links or stories from various sources and news outlets, which may contain typos, grammatical errors, or unverified information. Please be aware that any views or opinions presented in this communication are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the policy or position of Israel Policy Forum.
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