In the Media
Prof. Kobi Michael: However, Mr Trump’s trip leaves a confused picture behind in Israel. There is a sort of confusion because on the one hand, politicians in Israel feel that they were thrown aside, but on the other hand, there is no doubt that some things that have been said or done by Mr Trump are deeply and well co-ordinated with Israel.
Published in The National News, May 16, 2025.

Prof. Kobi Michael: If the military pressure that Israel now increases in the Gaza Strip will bring Hamas to comply to Whitcoff’s proposal, then Israel will stop the military pressure. If not, and Israel is not intends to wait too long for that, it is a matter of days, Israel will intensify the military operation until the full occupation of the Gaza Strip in order to assure… Hamas will not remain and will not be there in the Gaza Strip, and the hostages will be released.
The full interview took place on ILTV on May 13, 2025.
Lahav Harkov: Israel and Greece have had especially close ties for the past decade, but ties have only improved as Israel’s relations with Turkey have been on the rocks. Still this is more than ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend.’ The countries [Greece and Israel] have done military exercises together and share intelligence.
Published in Breaking Defense, May 12, 2025.

Dr. Raphael BenLevi: Since the 1970s, many Israeli territorial concessions were indirectly facilitated by aid packages — aid that was meant to ‘sweeten’ politically risky moves. We called it ‘land for peace,’ but it was often ‘land for aid.
We became addicted to Washington’s credits. Then came the war on October 7, and suddenly we needed ammunition we couldn’t manufacture fast enough at home.
Published in TPS, May 05, 2025.
Meir Ben Shabbat: Any agreement must include the following components — elimination of enriched uranium stockpiles and destruction of Iran’s centrifuges and conversion and enrichment facilities. In the context of weapon systems, Iran must cease all planning and development activities related to the weapons system [nuclear warheads], fully expose past activities, and dismantle research centers engaged in warhead technologies, which operate under academic and civilian cover.
Iran must stop its ballistic missile program, intended for nuclear warheads.
The full interview was published on Alma, 5 May, 2025.

Prof. Kobi Michael: Israel’s latest measures are aimed at pressuring Hamas — not to reduce the size of the Gaza Strip for the sake of annexation or something like that.
Still, it was likely that Israel would maintain control of buffer zones and seized territory indefinitely, or at least until Hamas’ rule in Gaza is brought to an end, with a new system of authority ushered in.
We are still in a war against Hamas. And this is part of the war.
No safe place left in Gaza as Israel’s ‘humanitarian zones’ shrink.
Published in NBC NEWS, May 04, 2025.

Noa Lazimi: Israel’s efforts to protect its border with Syria are motivated by legitimate security needs, not expansionism.
It is a vital key interest for Israel to ensure that southern Syria remains demilitarized, so the Golan and Galilee aren’t endangered. And by having operational freedom over Syrian airspace, Israel can prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands and thwart attempts by pro-Turkish militia groups from attacking Israel’s border,
Published in Washington Examiner, April 26, 2025.
