1. The Ministry of Regional Cooperation and Israeli-Palestinian Peacemaking
- Author:
- Nimrod Goren
- Publication Date:
- 12-2021
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Mitvim: The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies
- Abstract:
- Among Israel’s many government ministries, one stands out in particular. It is small, its authority is limited, and many doubt its need. But it is tasked with realizing one of Israel’s greatest aspirations since its founding: Reshaping relations with the Palestinians and its other Arab neighbors through regional cooperation. The Ministry of Regional Cooperation was established in 1999 as a product of political bargaining. Then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak sought to find a job for Shimon Peres, the peace advocate whom he did not want as his foreign minister. Peres used the new ministry as a platform to advance his vision of a new Middle East, while Barak led an Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
- Topic:
- Diplomacy, Government, Regional Cooperation, History, Domestic Politics, and Peace
- Political Geography:
- Middle East, Israel, and Palestine