Opening Address:
Suzy Gelman introduces herself as chair of the board of the Israel Policy Forum (IPF). She thanks Gadi, Temple Emanuel Stryker Center, and community partners for organizing the symposium. She expresses gratitude to the attendees for their participation.

IPF’s Focus:
IPF prioritizes security and aims to be an educational resource for the American Jewish community. The organization advocates for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. IPF recognizes Israel’s legitimate security concerns and works with relevant organizations to develop resources for policymakers and community leaders.

Broader Regional Issues:
Security for Israel and the Palestinians is affected by developments in the broader region. The symposium will address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the crisis in Syria, the future of the Iran nuclear deal, and opportunities for enhanced ties between Israel and the Arab world. These issues are interconnected and will be discussed in various sessions.

Opening Plenary:
The opening plenary will feature a dialogue between His Royal Highness Prince Turki al-Faizal and His Excellency Ambassador Daniel Shapiro. Prince Turki is a former Saudi intelligence chief and ambassador to the United States. Ambassador Shapiro is a former U.S. ambassador to Israel. Their discussion will focus on the challenges and opportunities in the Middle East.

Saudi-Israeli Dialogue:
Prince Turki Al Faisal participates in public discussions with Israeli officials to convey viewpoints and engage in dialogue, despite differing opinions.

Importance of Dialogue:
Turki emphasizes the value of talking to adversaries to convince them of viewpoints and influence their thinking. Efraim Halevi stresses the significance of listening to people, including opponents and even terrorists, to understand their perspectives and seek opportunities for influence.

Regional Peace Efforts:
Halevi clarifies that the outside-inside approach for regional peace originated with Crown Prince Abdallah’s Saudi Initiative in 2002, which he conveyed to Prime Minister Sharon. Turki highlights the importance of listening to adversaries to understand their viewpoints and potentially influence them.

The Arab Peace Initiative:
Halperin raises questions about the viability of the Arab Peace Initiative and the recent reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah.

Arab Peace Initiative: The Path to Fairness and Peace:
The Arab Peace Initiative is considered the only viable program for peace in the Middle East due to its focus on fairness and the interests of all parties involved. It proposes a quid pro quo approach where Israel withdraws from occupied lands in exchange for diplomatic relations and the cessation of hostilities from Arab and Muslim countries. This initiative remains on the table and has not been withdrawn, with all Arab countries committed to it.

Hamas-Fatah Reconciliation:
Saudi Arabia has played a role in attempting to reconcile Hamas and Fatah, leading to a deal that was ultimately not upheld. Recent efforts by President Sisi of Egypt have shown progress, with the signing of a deal and discussions on specific arrangements for governance in Gaza. The hope is that this deal will result in a unified Palestinian government capable of engaging in meaningful peace talks with Israel, including Gaza.

Hamas’ Stance on Israel:
Hamas has stated that while they will not recognize Israel, they are willing to accept any agreement reached between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel. This reiteration by Hamas leaders suggests a potential willingness to cooperate in achieving a unified Palestinian position.

Uncertainty Surrounding U.S. Policy in the Middle East:
The recent fall of Raqqa and the battle for Kirkuk highlight the complexity and uncertainty surrounding U.S. policy and goals in the Middle East. The United States appears to be involved on both sides of the conflict between Kurdish and Iraqi fighters, leading to questions about its direction and priorities in the region.

Current U.S. Strategy in the Middle East:
Unclear and lacking clarity. Some enduring pillars remain, such as commitment to Israel’s security and defeat of extremist groups like ISIS. Growing concern about Iran’s destabilizing behavior and strong relationships with Arab partners.

Concerns:
U.S. leadership role in the Middle East has historically been important, but current unpredictability may encourage negative developments. Lack of clarity on U.S. policy in Syria, Iraq, and engagement with Russia creates uncertainty.

Recommendations:
Administration should clarify its position on key issues to avoid encouraging instability.

American Policy in the Middle East:
American policy in the Middle East is undergoing significant changes, with a lack of clarity and consistency in its approach. Issues such as Syria and the Israel-Arab conflict lack a clear crystallization of American policy.

Russian Policy in the Middle East:
Russian policy in the Middle East has become prominent and dominant in recent times. Russia’s return to the region comes after a long period of inactivity following the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s Perspective:
Benjamin Netanyahu, the former Prime Minister of Israel, believed that Russia’s involvement in the political development of the Middle East was a positive step. Netanyahu emphasized the importance of Russia’s participation in the Madrid Conference in 1991, which aimed to resolve the Israeli-Arab conflict.

Potential for Cooperation:
Halevy suggests that elements exist for potential cooperation between the United States and Russia in addressing Middle Eastern issues. The involvement of Russia in international platforms, such as the Madrid Conference, demonstrates a willingness for collaboration.

Saudi and Israeli Views on U.S. and Russian Roles in the Middle East:
Saudi and Israeli experts discussed the need for U.S. leadership in the Middle East and the challenges posed by Russia’s growing influence.

U.S. Leadership in the Middle East:
Prince Turki Al Faisal, a former Saudi intelligence chief, expressed concern about America’s perceived retreat from the region during the Obama administration. Faisal emphasized the importance of U.S. involvement in promoting peace, maintaining stability, and countering hostile attitudes.

Clarity in U.S. Policy:
Faisal stressed the need for clarity in U.S. policy to enable allies to align with American objectives. He welcomed President Trump’s clear stance on the Iran nuclear deal, which provided a solid basis for Saudi Arabia to engage with the U.S.

Russia’s Role in the Middle East:
Efraim Halevy, a former Israeli national security advisor, acknowledged the predominant role of Russia in the Middle East and the need for elements of understanding with the U.S. Halevy emphasized that a comprehensive deal on the Middle East would be impossible without Russian involvement.

Russian Involvement in Syria:
Faisal expressed concern about Russia’s support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, considering him the primary terrorist in Syria. He advocated for convincing Russia to distance itself from Assad to facilitate progress in resolving the Syrian crisis.

Addressing Failing States and Terrorism:
Faisal identified several countries in the Middle East, including Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya, as failing states due to internal problems and instability. He emphasized the need to fix these countries’ capitals to eliminate the breeding grounds for terrorist groups.

Solving the Terrorism Issue:
Faisal proposed establishing viable and workable governments in the region to effectively address the challenges posed by terrorism. He suggested using the Arabic term “Fahish” (obscene) instead of “Daesh” to describe terrorist groups, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions rather than just treating the symptoms.

Russia’s Resurgence in the Middle East:
Russia’s return to the Middle East stems from a sense of grievance and a desire to restore Russian greatness and global power. Putin is exploiting domestic challenges to divert attention outward and consolidate his power.

Russia’s Motives in Syria:
Russia saw an opportunity in Syria to reestablish a foothold in the region and gain strategic advantages, including military bases and warm water ports. Russia aims to undermine US influence and position itself as a reliable partner for regional actors.

US Challenges in Syria:
Early caution and lack of support for the opposition weakened US leverage in the Syrian conflict. Focusing solely on defeating ISIS has limited US influence in shaping the conflict’s outcome.

US Red Lines in Syria:
Ensuring the security of Israel and preventing Iranian proxy forces from gaining a foothold on Israel’s border. Opposing the establishment of a land bridge for weapons transfers from Iran through Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.

Syria’s Historical Significance:
Syria is a centuries-old center of Islam and one of the most ancient cities in the world. Damascus, Syria’s capital, holds religious and historical importance, being mentioned in the Bible and serving as a fulcrum of Arab Islamic nationalism.

Origins of the Ba’ath Party in Damascus:
Damascus holds immense significance not only for Islam but also for Arab nationalism. The Ba’ath Party, a non-religious political organization, was established in Damascus by Michel Aflak, a devout Christian who served as its first Secretary General.

Damascus as an Epicenter:
Damascus is considered the epicenter or center of the globe, and tremors in the city have far-reaching effects across the region. The presence of various influential groups, including Iranians, Russians, Hezbollah, ISIS, Kurds, and Druze, makes Damascus a complex geopolitical landscape. Israel is directly affected by the dynamics in Damascus due to its proximity and historical conflicts.

Strategic Importance of the Golan Heights:
Bob Gates, former Deputy Director of Intelligence of the CIA, emphasized the strategic significance of the Golan Heights to Israel during a visit. The Golan Heights provides a commanding view of northern Israel, including the Sea of Galilee and Haifa, making it a crucial military vantage point.

Prioritizing Peace over Conflict:
Israel should shift its focus from pursuing endless strife and war to prioritizing peace and making decisive decisions for the future. By achieving peace, geo-strategic considerations such as the Golan Heights will no longer carry the same security implications.

Potential Benefits of Peace:
Peaceful resolution can transform areas of conflict into points of confluence and agreement, promoting cooperation and prosperity. For example, the mountain range between Lebanon, Israel, and Syria could be developed into ski resorts and shared water sources, rather than serving as a military installation.

Addressing Terrorism through Regional Stability:
Terrorism often stems from political aims rather than being inherent to societies. To effectively address terrorism, it is essential to address the root causes by stabilizing capitals and promoting regional peace.

Historical Significance of Capitals:
Capitals like Damascus, Baghdad, and others have historically been centers of diverse populations and cultural exchange. Restoring stability to these capitals is crucial for preventing them from becoming breeding grounds for terrorism.

The Iran Nuclear Deal:
The discussion moves on to the Iran nuclear deal, with a focus on the current status and upcoming developments in the next few weeks.

Overview:
Michelle Flournoy, a former US Undersecretary of Defense, and Prince Turki Al Faisal, a former Saudi Arabian intelligence chief, discuss the implications of President Trump’s decertification of the Iran nuclear deal and offer insights into the future of this signature national security achievement of the Obama administration.

Flournoy’s Analysis:
The Iran nuclear deal, while not perfect, significantly extended the time Iran would need to develop a nuclear weapon, from weeks or months to over a year. The deal included intrusive inspections and verification mechanisms, and Iran has been in compliance according to the IAEA, the US intelligence community, and most of the Trump cabinet. President Trump’s decision to decertify the deal and kick the issue to Congress is problematic because the deal is multilateral and cannot be unilaterally changed. The goal should be to maintain the nuclear constraints while addressing Iran’s non-nuclear activities, such as support for terrorism and ballistic missile development, through additional measures like sanctions, intelligence cooperation, and operational cooperation. Scrapping the deal would be a strategic error, as it would remove the nuclear constraints without effectively addressing Iran’s other activities.

Prince Turki Al Faisal’s Perspective:
Decertification is a means to pressure Iran to adhere to the spirit of the deal and address its extraterritorial ambitions in the region. The deal emboldened Iran to pursue its regional ambitions in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Bahrain, and elsewhere. Iran’s extraterritorial ambition is a major concern for Saudi Arabia and the region, as it destabilizes the area and poses a threat to security. The 13-year duration of the deal is a short period in historical terms, and there is concern about what will happen when the deal expires. The focus should be on utilizing the 13-year period to build on the deal and create a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the region, including nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons.

Israel’s Indestructibility:
Efraim Halevy asserts that Israel possesses significant military capabilities and is indestructible as a nation and a state. He believes Israel has the ability to defend itself, preserve its existence, and emerge intact even in challenging circumstances. Halevy emphasizes his faith in Israel’s military, defense, and intelligence establishments, drawing from his extensive experience in Mossad.

Iran Deal Assessment:
Halevy acknowledges that the Iran deal was not ideal and lacked certain elements that Israel desired. He explains that the deal focused solely on the nuclear aspect and excluded other issues, as per Israel’s preference. Halevy emphasizes that Israel aimed for a swift and effective deal, concentrating on the nuclear issue alone, rather than delaying negotiations with additional demands.

Post-Deal Considerations:
Halevy highlights the need to utilize the time gained from the deal to address concerns related to terrorism, missile production, and other issues. He acknowledges that changes are occurring within Iran, although not as rapidly as in the United States. Halevy cites an article in the New York Times regarding the defense and military industry of the Iranian Republican Guards as an example of ongoing developments.

Existential Threat to Israel:
Efraim Halevy: The Palestinian issue does not pose an existential threat to Israel’s existence. Halevy emphasizes the need to accept neighbors as they are and to find ways to coexist. He advocates avoiding interference in internal political processes and embracing unity if it is the people’s choice.

Negotiating with Terrorists:
Halevy believes negotiating with terrorists is part of diplomacy, citing examples of British Prime Ministers doing so. He criticizes Prime Minister Netanyahu for claiming not to negotiate with terrorists and hopes he is lying.

Arab Peace Initiative:
Prince Turki Al Faisal discusses the Arab Peace Initiative proposed by Saudi Arabia. He notes the lack of Israeli commitment and willingness to negotiate on the initiative. Al Faisal emphasizes the need for an Israeli commitment to engage in negotiations.

Saudi Arabia’s Role:
Al Faisal asserts that Saudi Arabia has been promoting the Arab Peace Initiative and will continue to do so. He stresses the need for Israeli feedback and willingness to engage in discussions. Al Faisal highlights an instance where Tzipi Livni rejected the Arab Peace Initiative during a conference.

Behind-the-Scenes Engagement:
David Halperin questions whether there are behind-the-scenes connections, dialogue, and cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Al Faisal expresses uncertainty about such engagements, stating that he is not in government circles to confirm or deny their existence. He suggests that the portrayal of behind-the-scenes engagements may be a self-created image by Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Arab-Israeli Relations:
Prince Turki Al Faisal believes there is no secret agreement between Israel and Arab nations to deal with Iran.

Open Negotiation:
He stresses the need for transparent negotiations, with Israel clearly stating its position, to address the issue of Palestine.

Common Challenges:
He emphasizes that both Israel and Arab nations face common challenges, such as Iran’s threat and the need for scientific development, water resources, medical research, and business activities.

Benefits of Peace:
Faisal highlights the immense benefits that peace between Israel and Arab nations would bring, including collaboration in various fields and improved quality of life.

Arab Peace Initiative:
He urges Yanni, a well-known peace advocate, to promote the equitable deal proposed by the Arab Peace Initiative.

Collaboration Potential:
Faisal expresses his belief that the combination of Jewish money and Arab intellect has the potential to achieve great things.