What We Do

Israel Policy Forum is an advocacy-tank, combining the policy development and publications of a think tank, with the educational programming and advocacy initiatives of a lobby.

Our work is concentrated in four areas:

• Policy Development
• Advocacy
• Media and Publications
• Education

Policy Development

IPF regularly convenes a "Policy Roundtable" on US diplomacy in the Middle East. Led by IPF's National Scholar Dr. Steven L. Spiegel, the Policy Roundtable consists of IPF's US Advisory Council and other leading policy analysts, academics, and former government officials. The Roundtable meets several times a year in Washington, DC to discuss, produce and publicly endorse succinct policy recommendations for the United States government to advance peacemaking in the Middle East.

Click to View the Policy Roundtable's Recommendations

IPF delivers the Policy Roundtable's recommendations to legislators, policymakers, community leaders and the media. The endorsement of the Roundtable's leading figures bolsters IPF's advocacy in Washington, in the Jewish community and beyond.

IPF has also begun to engage our Israel Advisory Council in similar Roundtables.

Advocacy

IPF delivers timely messages of support to key legislators and policymakers regarding specific U.S. legislation and policies.

IPF's Washington Policy Center mobilizes leaders of the Jewish, political, business and academic communities in support of targeted advocacy campaigns, often in coordination with other like-minded institutions. In this regard, IPF actively advocates on behalf of legislation and policies that can advance US interests and peace and security in the Middle East.

As part of our advocacy efforts, IPF also regularly meets with representatives of the international community to demonstrate the widespread support for coordinated efforts to advance Mideast peace and security.

Media and Publications

IPF produces two weekly publications by email, a daily blog, and interviews, all serving to drive debate and discussion on the role of the United States in Mideast peacemaking.

IPF Friday

IPF Friday by MJ Rosenberg is one of the most widely distributed and influential opinion columns on US diplomacy in the Middle East. Regularly reposted at leading web and news sites online and in leading newspapers, MJ's weekly IPF Friday column is recognized as a provocative source of commentary that drives debate in Washington, in the Jewish community and in the media.

IPF Focus

IPF Focus is a weekly online publication providing in-depth analysis of breaking news and developments in the Middle East. Produced by IPF staff, scholars and guests contributors, IPF Focus goes beyond the headline to provide context for what the news means for US interests and Israel's future.

The Mideast Peace Pulse

The Mideast Peace Pulse is a daily collaborative blog providing a highly-visible platform for leading scholars, politicians, diplomats, analysts, activists and others to debate and discuss breaking developments on a wide range of issues affecting Israel, the Middle East peace process, US diplomacy, policy and legislation.

IPF Interviews

IPF interviews are online, text, audio, video and conference call discussions with leading current and former officials, journalists, academics and community leaders.

Education

IPF conducts local, regional and national programs as well as missions to the Middle East that seek to educate community leaders on the critical issues facing US diplomacy in the Middle East.

IPF brings speakers for public and private discussions in offices, homes, synagogues, think tanks and community centers in major cities across the country.

Each year, IPF convenes an Annual Leadership Event as a major demonstration of support for active and sustained US peacemaking efforts in the Middle East. In his address to IPF's Annual Event in January 2001, President Clinton publicly announced the 'Clinton Parameters' for Mideast peace. Other leaders who have spoken at IPF Events include Vice President Al Gore, Prime Minister Ehud Barak, then-Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Vice Prime Minister Haim Ramon, Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr, and, most recently Senator Chuck Hagel.

Each year, IPF convenes delegations of American Jewish, policy, business and academic leaders to Israel and the Middle East to discuss developments in the region and convey support for peacemaking in meetings with leading Israel and Arab politicians, journalists and activist.