38. Leverage Israel-Turkey Normalization to Control Hamas and Advance Projects in Gaza and the West Bank

Israel and Turkey recently reestablished full diplomatic relations, including the appointment of an Israeli ambassador to Turkey for the first time since 2018. Yet Turkey still has extensive ties to Hamas, with Hamas officials operating on Turkish soil and overseeing Hamas operations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem from an office in Istanbul. The rapprochement between Israel and Turkey is an opportunity for the U.S. and Israel to jointly ask Turkey to shutter Hamas’ offices in Istanbul, mediate between Israel and Hamas when useful, and capitalize on Turkey’s interest in becoming an influential player in Gaza to promote development projects. Similarly, Turkey’s desire to remain a leading voice on the Palestinian cause should be used for advancing projects in the West Bank, such as the Jenin Industrial Free Zone. This industrial zone, developed by the Turkish company TOBB-BIS, has the potential to create tens of thousands of new jobs and boost manufacturing, GDP and exports, yet since its announcement in 2015 the project has stalled. Improved relations can jumpstart this project as well as others.

38. Leverage Israel-Turkey Normalization to Control Hamas and Advance Projects in Gaza and the West Bank

1. Restore Full Funding to Palestinian Authority Security Forces

2. Crack Down on Jewish Extremism and Terrorism

3. Strengthen the Palestinian Security Sector Through the USSC

4. Reduce IDF Incursions Into Area A

5. Empower the Palestinian Authority Security Forces

6. Reexamine Security Arrangements in Area B

7. Complete the Security Barrier

8. Expand the USSC’s Mission

9. Demand an End to PA Martyr Payments

10. Pressure Hamas to Renounce the Use of Violence

11. Support Israeli Defensive Technologies

12. Pressure Hamas To Return Hostages

13. Tackle Illegal Outposts

14. Pressure the PA to Cease Its Authoritarian Abuses

15. Freeze the Status of E1, Givat HaMatos, Givat HaShaked, and Other Sensitive Areas in and Around Jerusalem

16. Reform Planning and Construction for Palestinians in Area C

17. Renounce Territorial Claims East of the Security Barrier

18. Redesignate Evacuated Territory in the Northern West Bank as Area B

19. Maintain the Current Footprints of Settlement Blocs

20. Adopt a New U.S. Policy on Settlements

21. Work For An Open and Transparent Palestinian Leadership Transition

22. Support Accurate Maps in Textbooks

23. Maintain UNRWA While Pursuing Deep and Meaningful Reforms

24. Develop a Strategy for Addressing Palestinian Zoning and Planning, and Halt Evictions in East Jerusalem (Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan, and Walajeh)

25. Rezone Jerusalem Neighborhoods Beyond the Security Barrier

26. Safeguard Jordan’s Special Status in Jerusalem

27. Preserve the Status Quo at the Temple Mount

28. Support Jerusalem as a Future Capital of Two States

29. Give Abraham Accords States Credit for Breakthroughs

30. Create a Negev Forum Role for the Palestinians

31. Support Upgraded Infrastructure and Procedures at the Allenby Bridge

32. Upgrade Transportation Infrastructure in the West Bank, Especially in Areas That Mostly Serve Palestinians

33. Improve Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in the West Bank

34. Upgrade Telecom Infrastructure

35. Amend the Paris Protocol

36. Increase the Limit for Palestinian Bank Transfers

37. Improve Gaza’s Electricity Supply

39. Repair and Upgrade Gaza’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Infrastructure

40. Continue Increasing Gaza Entry Permits

41. Continue Easing Restrictions on Gaza Imports

42. Convert Gaza Economic Permits to Worker Permits

43. Develop Air and Sea Transit Infrastructure for Gaza

44. Extend Kerem Shalom Hours and Open a New Gaza Commercial Crossing Point

45. Encourage Egypt to Permanently Open the Rafah Crossing and Raise International Support for Its Upgrade

46. Build Capacity for the Middle East Partnership for Peace Act’s Lowey Fund

47. Enable MEPPA Small Grants

48. Improve Conditions in East Jerusalem

49. Embrace Opportunities for Palestinian Involvement in Abraham Accords Initiatives

50. Restore Augusta Victoria’s Tax-Exempt Status