Perspectives Papers

Perspectives Papers provide analysis from BESA Center research associates and other outside experts on the most important issues pertaining to Israel and the Middle East.

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The Million Person Gap: A Critical Look at Palestinian Demography

No. 15

Bennett Zimmerman, Dr. Roberta Seid and Dr. Michael L. Wise | May 7, 2006

Population statistics and predictions of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) are unreliable; a BESA study that subjects Palestinian demography to rigorous analysis shows that the 2004 Palestinian population of the West Bank and Gaza stood at 2.5 million, not the 3.8 million claimed by the Palestinians.Further demographic research indicates that Israeli concerns about demographic pressure from the West Bank and Gaza have been exaggerated.

Iran and the West: Who Needs Whom? A Look at the Consequences of Ahmadinejad’s Economic and Foreign Policies

No. 14

Dr. Gil Feiler | March 7, 2006

Ahmadinejad has repeatedly asserted that the West needs Iran more than Iran needs the West. While Iran has the economic influence to inflict significant damage on the world economy, Ahmadinejad’s flippant remarks have little basis in reality and his policies are likely to incur significant damage to his country.

The Hamas Takeover Serves Israel’s Interests

No. 13

Prof. Hillel Frisch | January 29, 2006

The decisive victory by Hamas in this week’s Palestinian elections, paradoxically, serves Israel’s interests. Hamas’ win provides Israel and the international community with an opportunity to fashion a tough line against Palestinian Islamic terrorism and to bring the aid-dependent PA into line. Moreover, Hamas is bound to fail in running the PA, leaving open the possibility in the long term for the emergence of a more mature Palestinian leadership.

The Imperative to Use Force Against Iranian Nuclearization

No. 12

Prof. Efraim Inbar | December 15, 2005

A nuclear Iran constitutes a serious threat, not only to the Middle East, but also to the entire world. Diplomatic efforts have failed to halt Iran’s nuclear program. As the Iranian acquisition of a military nuclear ability nears, the threat of using force, and even the actual use of force, seems to be the only viable preventive measure.

British Policy Towards the Middle East

No. 11

Prof. Jonathan Rynhold | November 7, 2005

In the wake of its active involvement in the 2003 Iraq war, Britain’s traditional policy of acting as a bridge between the US and the EU in relation to Middle Eastern strategic affairs has been severely criticized by those who would like to see Britain adopting a more wholehearted European orientation. Prime Minister Blair’s grandiose vision of bridging as securing Britain’s position as a pivotal power at the crux of alliances and international politics is completely unrealistic.

Religious Zionism Revisits the State of Israel

No. 10

Prof. Shmuel Sandler | October 6, 2005

The Religious Zionist community in Israel has been significantly affected by Israel’s disengagement from Gaza, with some expressing a feeling of betrayal by the government. There are three alternative political approaches: secularization, fundamentalism, and an alternative political approach calling for the establishment of a new ruling Israeli elite.

Egypt and Its Involvement in the Disengagement Process: Strategic, Regional, and International Aspects

No. 9

Dr. Rami Ginat | September 1, 2005

The peace agreement between Egypt and Israel is stronger than is sometimes thought. In the current global reality a unipolar world under American hegemony no dramatic changes are expected to take place in the region in the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, the mutual interests of Israel and Egypt, together with the Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip, further strengthen the relations between the two countries.

The Perils and Promise of Pax Americana in the Muslim Middle East

No. 8

Prof. Ze’ev Maghen | July 26, 2005

The Muslim Middle East has two basic problems with the US in the role of democratic reformer: what America is, and what America is not. The perils and promise of America’s difficult mission civilisatrice, and the Bush Administration’s faith-based approach to exporting freedom, may ultimately help America win friends and influence people in the Middle East.

Europe, America, and Israel: The Need to Promote Democracy and Freedom

No. 7

José María Aznar | June 15, 2005

It is imperative that America lead a drive to promote democracy and freedom around the world. The successful implementation of these values can be realized even in hostile places such as Iraq, Iran, and the Palestinian Territories.

French Perceptions of the Middle East

No. 6

Dr. Tsilla Hershco | May 31, 2005

French-Israeli relations have significantly deteriorated since September 2000. However, it seems that some recent developments may change this pattern. France’s main Middle Eastern perceptions, their application to the Iraqi and the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts and the contradictions between the perceptions and their application all affect the situation.

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A Different Perspective on the Temple Mount Crisis

September 8, 2017 Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen

Moderate leaders warn that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may turn from a national conflict into a religious one. Right-wing leaders claim it has been a religious conflict from the start. Both approaches have been applied to the Temple Mount crisis, and both are affected by a totalist perception of the understanding of the religious imperative.

Palestinian Settler-Colonialism

September 3, 2017 Dr. Alex Joffe

The concept of “settler colonialism” has been applied with almost unique vehemence against Israel. But the fact that Jews are the indigenous population of the Southern Levant can be proved with ease. In contrast, historical and genealogical evidence shows Palestinians descend primarily from three primary groups: Muslim invaders, Arab immigrants, and local converts to Islam. The Muslim conquest of Byzantine Palestine in the 7th century CE is a textbook example of settler-colonialism, as is subsequent immigration, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries under the Ottoman and British Empires. The application of the concept to Jews and Zionism by Palestinians is both ironic and unhelpful.

Israel’s Possible Paths to Nuclear War

July 22, 2017 Prof. Louis René Beres

North Korea’s nuclearization has implications for Israel’s nuclear deterrence posture. There are several plausible means by which a nuclear conflict could arise in the Middle East. It may be time to consider a phase-out of Israel’s “deliberate nuclear ambiguity” and to focus Israeli planning around evaluations of enemy rationality.

Ehud Barak: Blatantly Ignoring Danger

May 31, 2017 Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen

Former PM Ehud Barak’s arguments in favor of withdrawal from Judea and Samaria undercut Israel’s security and are a departure from the Oslo Accords’ security vision. Israel would be wise to present President Trump with actual facts on this issue.

Myth: Israel Is the Largest Beneficiary of US Military Aid

February 10, 2017 Prof. Hillel Frisch

Many American detractors of Israel begin by citing that Israel receives the lion’s share of US military aid. The very suggestion conjures the demon of an all-powerful Israel lobby that has turned the US Congress into its pawn. But these figures, while reflecting official direct US military aid, are almost meaningless in comparison to the real costs and benefits of US military aid – above all, American boots on the ground. In reality, Israel receives only a small fraction of American military aid, and most of that was spent in the US to the benefit of the American economy.

The Oslo Disaster

September 4, 2016 Prof. Efraim Karsh

The Oslo diplomatic process is the starkest strategic blunder in Israel’s history and one of the worst calamities ever to have afflicted Israelis and Palestinians. Twenty three years after its euphoric launch on the White House lawn, the Oslo ‘peace process’ has substantially worsened the position of both parties, and made the prospects for peace and reconciliation ever more remote.

Perspectives Papers

The Million Person Gap: A Critical Look at Palestinian Demography

Iran and the West: Who Needs Whom? A Look at the Consequences of Ahmadinejad’s Economic and Foreign Policies

The Hamas Takeover Serves Israel’s Interests

The Imperative to Use Force Against Iranian Nuclearization

British Policy Towards the Middle East

Religious Zionism Revisits the State of Israel

Egypt and Its Involvement in the Disengagement Process: Strategic, Regional, and International Aspects

The Perils and Promise of Pax Americana in the Muslim Middle East

Europe, America, and Israel: The Need to Promote Democracy and Freedom

French Perceptions of the Middle East

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A Different Perspective on the Temple Mount Crisis

Palestinian Settler-Colonialism

Israel’s Possible Paths to Nuclear War

Ehud Barak: Blatantly Ignoring Danger

Myth: Israel Is the Largest Beneficiary of US Military Aid

The Oslo Disaster

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