MEI Study Group: Israel-Palestine: Prospects and Challenges of Moving from Conflict Management to Conflict Resolution

About the Study Group

This Spring 2026 MEI Study Group will address the current situation of the Israeli and Palestinian polities in the aftermath of October 7 and the war in Gaza and what the prospects are for moving forward from conflict management to conflict resolution. The central role of the United States and the Trump Peace Plan will be analyzed, as well as the role of regional and international parties. How Israeli and Palestinian domestic political considerations impact peacemaking efforts will necessarily be taken into account. Israelis and Palestinians, as well as the region, are at a critical turning point toward either peacebuilding or the continuation of the status quo in some altered form that will inevitably lead to recurring conflict. The Study Group will be led by MEI Senior Fellows Edward Djerejian, former United States Ambassador to Israel, and Salam Fayyad, the former Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority.

Participation

• The Study Group will be open by application for up to 30 Harvard students and fellows.
• Selected participants will be expected to attend all sessions and engage actively in the deliberations. 

Application Deadline: Sunday, March 8 | Apply Here

Schedule

Study Group sessions will be held at the Harvard Kennedy School on:

• Wednesday, March 25, 4:00-5:30pm
• Wednesday, April 15, 4:00-5:30pm
• Wednesday, April 22, 4:00-5:30pm