Defense Minister Gantz Goes to Ankara

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz meets with Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar in Ankara. Photo credit: REUTERS

The ongoing rapprochement between Israel and Turkey was reinforced recently on October 27 by the visit to Ankara of Israel’s Defense Minister Gantz, following the groundbreaking and highly symbolic official visit of President Yitzhak Herzog in March. Gantz met with his counterpart, Hulusi Akar, considered to be one of the mainstays of the AKP government, […]

Israel’s Innovative Spirit Expands to New Fields

Tel Aviv Skyline, tech illustration. Photo credit: Freepik

Israel has been known for years as a center for innovation in several high-tech fields from medical devices to information security. Today, Israeli entrepreneurs are expanding to new fields, such as climate tech and food security, while its government has become a leader in public health policy through its pandemic response. Preparing for Pandemics Israel, […]

The Debate over Military Rules of Engagement

Mural depicting journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in Bethlehem. Photo credit: REUTERS

Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American journalist for Al Jazeera, was killed on May 11 during a firefight between Israeli soldiers and armed Palestinians in the streets of the West Bank city of Jenin. This led to a firestorm of claims: pro-Palestinian accusations of a premeditated murder and pro-Israeli arguments of a killing by Palestinian fire. […]

Israel Engages Washington on Iran: What Does Lapid Hope to Achieve?

Seeks to “move the needle” on specific issues with the US. Israeli Prime minister Yair Lapid with U.S. President Joe Biden. Photo credit: REUTERS

In mid-August 2022, reports began to spread in Israel’s political class about Iran’s willingness to compromise in the ongoing negotiations over a revived Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This has led to a fear that the Biden administration may finally be within reach of a deal, which would put billions in Iran’s coffers and […]

Turkey, Israel, and the Road to Capitol Hill

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid meet in Ankara. Photo credit: REUTERS

On August 17, 2022 when the governments of Turkey and Israel announced their agreement to restore full diplomatic relations, Washington voiced its approval and support. But it was not the Biden administration that promoted the reconciliation between the two states.