PALESTINIANS AND THE REGION

PALESTINIANS AND THE REGION

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Palestinian research program has been significantly influenced by the events of October 7, prompting a comprehensive reevaluation of the Israeli-Palestinian paradigm across various domains. This includes emphasizing the need to ensure Israel’s security while acknowledging that military efforts alone are insufficient and require additional civilian elements to stabilize the arena. As Israel seeks normalization with the Arab world, its policies vis-à-vis the Palestinians are often a cause for contention and public debate.

The program seeks to stabilize the region by confronting the burning issues in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, while working to garner positive regional support. To this end, we work to promote an updated Palestinian Authority that is able to govern effectively, counter terrorism, provide law and order, stop incitement and subscribe to the evolving regional alliances. Thus far, the program developed and promoted a roadmap for ‘the day after’ the war in Gaza, formulated a Palestinian component for Saudi normalization plans, and continues to engage in a comprehensive plan for the region’s future that promotes Palestinian viability. 

Program Director

Noa Shusterman Dvir            

Researchers

 Keren Ben  Gal     

 Yoni Sherman

Senior Advisor

Brigadier General (ret.) Ram Yavne

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Palestinian research program has been significantly influenced by the events of October 7, prompting a comprehensive reevaluation of the Israeli-Palestinian paradigm across various domains. This includes emphasizing the need to ensure Israel’s security while acknowledging that military efforts alone are insufficient and require additional civilian elements to stabilize the arena. As Israel seeks normalization with the Arab world, its policies vis-à-vis the Palestinians are often a cause for contention and public debate.

The program seeks to stabilize the region by confronting the burning issues in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, while working to garner positive regional support. To this end, we work to promote an updated Palestinian Authority that is able to govern effectively, counter terrorism, provide law and order, stop incitement and subscribe to the evolving regional alliances. Thus far, the program developed and promoted a roadmap for ‘the day after’ the war in Gaza, formulated a Palestinian component for Saudi normalization plans, and continues to engage in a comprehensive plan for the region’s future that promotes Palestinian viability. 

Program Director

Noa Shusterman Dvir            

Researchers

 Keren Ben  Gal                     Yoni Sherman

Senior Advisor

Brigadier General (ret.) Ram Yavne

“The war presents Israel with opportunities to promote change in Palestinian society, which is not homogeneous in its views of support for Hamas and the armed resistance, and is largely a result of the lack of proper political leadership and the absence of a political and economic horizon. Realizing the opportunity requires Israel to change its policy towards the PA, which is struggling for internal legitimacy.”

Source: MIND insights on public opinion trends in the Palestinian arena, one-year post October 7th (December 2024)

"We must work with the incoming Trump administration to continue leading a solution that includes an Arab-Western coalition for a transitional period and to prevent the resurgence of Hamas. This is an opportunity for the administration to create a regional move of great importance that will prepare the ground for the implementation of the Deal of the Century and normalization with Saudi Arabia.”

Source:MIND policy paper on the implications of the next Trump administration on the Palestinian arena, and potential disagreements with the Israeli government (November 2024)

“Israel's current crisis provides an opportunity to overhaul its national strategy, addressing challenges and maximizing opportunities. This effort should be guided by several key pillars, including reinforcing the IDF considering the failure of the existing security concept, prioritizing the security component in future diplomatic arrangements with the Palestinians, strengthening ties with the United States, enhancing regional integration, and adopting a responsible economic policy to foster rebuilding and prevent stagnation"

Source: Turning Catastrophe Into a Vision: MIND Israel 2024 National Strategy for a Post-Hamas Gaza (January 2024)

RECENTLY IN THE MEDIA

“The apparent policy change, if it proves to be more than smoke and mirrors, has many implications for the Authority's economic future, and may signal its readiness for a broader policy change.” (2.3.2025)
READ MORE

Noa Shusterman Dvir & Keren Ben Gal

"Israel’s primary failure lies in understanding Hamas’s political ambitions. The organization, which holds the hostages, has become the dominant Palestinian actor with whom Israel is forced to engage—even if indirectly. The more Israel rejected proposals for a comprehensive deal and insisted on gradual arrangements, the more opportunities Hamas was given to demonstrate its power—not only in front of Israel, but also before the Gazan public that dared to rise against it." (14.5.25)
READ MORE

Noa Shusterman Dvir

"In the first scenario, the war ends with Hamas in Gaza in a weakened configuration but still controlling the Strip. Israel will do everything in its power to prevent this, but we must consider a situation where we will not succeed." (14.11.2024)
READ MORE

Noa Shusterman Dvir

“Weakening the Palestinian Authority and strengthening Hamas is designed to hinder peace efforts, to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.” Source: The New York Times quoting Noa Shusterman Dvir, “War Has Smashed Assumptions About Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” (23.10.2024)
READ MORE

Noa Shusterman Dvir

RECENTLY IN THE MEDIA

“The apparent policy change, if it proves to be more than smoke and mirrors, has many implications for the Authority's economic future, and may signal its readiness for a broader policy change.” (2.3.2025)
READ MORE

Noa Shusterman Dvir & Keren Ben Gal

"Israel’s primary failure lies in understanding Hamas’s political ambitions. The organization, which holds the hostages, has become the dominant Palestinian actor with whom Israel is forced to engage—even if indirectly. The more Israel rejected proposals for a comprehensive deal and insisted on gradual arrangements, the more opportunities Hamas was given to demonstrate its power—not only in front of Israel, but also before the Gazan public that dared to rise against it." (14.5.25)
READ MORE

Noa Shusterman Dvir 

"In the first scenario, the war ends with Hamas in Gaza in a weakened configuration but still controlling the Strip. Israel will do everything in its power to prevent this, but we must consider a situation where we will not succeed." (14.11.2024)
READ MORE

Noa Shusterman Dvir

“Weakening the Palestinian Authority and strengthening Hamas is designed to hinder peace efforts, to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.” Source: The New York Times quoting Noa Shusterman Dvir, “War Has Smashed Assumptions About Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” (23.10.2024)
READ MORE

Noa Shusterman Dvir

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