Dr. Dalal Erekat: The year 2025 may witness an acceleration in the pace of normalization between Israel and other Arab countries under the umbrella of the “New Middle East”

Dr. Suhail Diab: The new year will witness Israeli attempts to undermine the political work of the Palestinians inside the occupied territories in 1948

Dr. Tamara Haddad: The undeclared Israeli goal by 2025 is to reduce the population of Gaza to about 800,000 people through voluntary displacement

Dr. Hussein Al-Deek: Israel is preparing for a strike in 2025 targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, especially with Trump coming to power

Dr. Walaa Qadimat: There are attempts to distract the Palestinians with internal conflicts that weaken the unity of the national position and may extend into the new year

Experts and political analysts expect that the year 2025 will be full of major challenges on the Palestinian level, in light of the ongoing crises resulting from the Israeli occupation and its expansionist policies, while the world may witness challenges related to regional and international alliances, especially with regard to the American-Israeli-Iranian conflict, as well as the American-Chinese conflict.

In separate interviews with “I”, writers, political analysts, specialists and university professors indicate that the new year may witness the consecration of Israeli annexation plans in the West Bank, especially in areas classified as “C”, which represent more than half of its area. At the same time, Israel seeks to strengthen its policies based on fragmenting Palestinian lands in the West Bank and turning them into isolated cantons.

On the domestic front, writers, analysts, specialists and university professors are increasingly concerned about the continuation of the Palestinian division, which may deepen further in the new year, hindering the possibility of confronting major challenges in a unified manner. They stress that the political and geographical division between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, in addition to the deterioration of the economic situation, places the Palestinians before a complex reality that requires a re-arrangement of priorities and the unification of efforts to confront these difficult circumstances.

They believe that the new year will witness major transformations in the region that will cast a shadow over the Palestinian issue, as the United States, led by its Republican administration, seeks to reshape the map of the Middle East in a way that serves its economic and political interests, while strengthening Israeli influence in the region.

They point out that with the escalation of competition between global powers, the Palestinian issue seems far from the agendas of international priorities, which calls for adopting a new Palestinian vision and political strategy that restores the issue's presence in regional and international forums.

Continuation of major crises.. settlement expansion and gradual annexation

Dr. Dalal Erekat, Professor of Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution at the Arab American University, expects that the year 2025 will witness a continuation of major crises related to the Israeli occupation, manifested in settlement expansion and the gradual annexation of Palestinian lands, which will enhance the “Greater Israel” project, explaining that Israel seeks to establish new facts on the ground, exploiting the weakness of the international response and the internal Palestinian division.

Erekat talks about the continued Israeli and regional pressure on the Gaza Strip, within a scenario known as the “State of Gaza,” which is part of the policy of dividing the Palestinians geographically and politically.

Erekat stresses that this approach aims to dismantle the Palestinian national identity by consolidating the separation between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, stressing that the Palestinian division remains the biggest obstacle to any real progress on the political and diplomatic levels.

Erekat points to efforts led by Saudi Arabia and France to hold a new international peace conference to draw up a roadmap for the Middle East.

In this context, Erekat expresses her pessimism, citing previous experiences that have shown that such initiatives often end in procrastination, which allows Israel additional time to consolidate its expansionist and settlement policies.

On the regional level, Erekat points out that the year 2025 may witness an acceleration in the pace of normalization between Israel and other Arab countries under the umbrella of the “New Middle East.”

Erekat explains that this trend strengthens Israeli influence in the region at the expense of the Palestinians, and creates a new reality in which Israeli influence expands at the expense of the rights of the Arab peoples in general and the Palestinians in particular.

Erekat touches on the international competition between the United States and China, noting that this competition, which focuses on controlling trade routes and strategic passages, affects international priorities, and in light of major crises such as the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Palestinian issue seems far from the agendas of the major powers.

Erekat stresses that the pragmatism that prevails in the world today marginalizes humanitarian issues in favor of economic and geopolitical interests, which reflects the weakness of Palestinian influence in this context.

Meanwhile, Erekat believes the Palestinians need a new, flexible strategy, based on smart initiatives that address international and regional interests.

Erekat explains that presenting a comprehensive and serious Palestinian strategy could open the door to returning the Palestinian issue to the international table.

It suggests that this strategy has political and economic dimensions that make it attractive to parties such as the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Erekat believes that the strategy must include strengthening national unity by ending the internal division, which she described as the basis for any effective action, in addition to the fact that unity enhances legitimacy and strengthens the Palestinian negotiating position.

On the level of international diplomatic action, according to the strategy, Erekat calls for building new alliances with regional and international powers, and exploiting every opportunity to shed light on the Palestinian cause.

Erekat stresses that the strategy must focus on the importance of dealing realistically with international data, by presenting smart solutions based on interests and not just rights, because the international community is now governed by the logic of pragmatism.

Erekat stresses the need to work on building strong Palestinian institutions to support the steadfastness of Palestinians inside the country, in the face of economic and political challenges, as part of the new strategy.

She believes that minimizing damage and enhancing resilience can limit losses and prepare Palestinians to deal with future changes, noting that the year 2025 may bring greater challenges for the Palestinians if there is no serious action and real leadership.

Erekat explains that what is required now is a new Palestinian vision capable of adapting to changes and investing in any opportunities to achieve political gains, even if they are limited, while minimizing losses.

Erekat stresses that any solution begins with a unified Palestinian position and leadership that represents all Palestinians, as a basic condition for the success of any attempt to deal with the upcoming challenges.

In light of the prevalence of global pragmatism and economic interests, Erekat believes that the time has come for the Palestinians to present strategic solutions that guarantee their national rights and preserve the presence of the Palestinian cause in international forums.

Challenges, axes and pivotal issues in Palestine, the region and the world

Professor of Political Science and expert on Israeli affairs, Dr. Suhail Diab, believes that the year 2025 may witness a set of challenges and pivotal axes at the Palestinian, regional and international levels, based on what happened in 2024, as the new year will be decisive and will deeply affect the future of the Palestinian cause and the regional and international map.

Diab points out that one of the most prominent challenges that the Palestinians will face in 2025 is the file of the “internal Palestinian home,” which is expected to come to the forefront strongly, as this file will include in-depth discussions and conflicts in viewpoints, some of which may be contradictory and some of which may be mutually agreeable.

However, Diab believes that the internal file will be decisive and pivotal in determining the future of the Palestinian issue, as its results will directly affect the Palestinian national path.

Diab points to another challenge that is at the forefront of the Palestinian scene, which is the issue of demographics, which has become a central position in the calculations of Palestinian national security, in light of the ongoing Israeli escalation against the Palestinians, whether in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, or the Palestinian interior occupied since 1948.

Diab believes that this issue will become one of the most prominent topics in the new year, as the Israeli occupation has come to realize that eliminating the Palestinian dream is not limited to geographical and settlement expansion, but rather depends on liquidating the Palestinian presence through policies of ethnic cleansing and genocide, as we saw in the war of extermination in Gaza or the massacres in the West Bank.

Diab points out that one of the issues that will accompany the Palestinians into the new year is the state of war and tension that has continued since 2024, including massacres and geographical and demographic targeting operations.

Diab believes that the new year will witness Israeli attempts to undermine the political work of the Palestinians inside the occupied territories in 1948, with the aim of marginalizing them politically and weakening them as an influential force.

At the regional level, Dr. Diab believes that the year 2025 will witness a clearer crystallization of multipolarity, as existing axes, such as the American-Israeli axis, the Turkish-Qatari axis, the Saudi-Egyptian axis, and the Iranian-Yemeni axis, will deepen and their agendas will become more clear, as these axes will create a regional environment full of understandings and conflicts that will directly affect the Palestinian cause, but the Palestinians must not be part of any axis, but rather influence those axes.

At the level of Arab countries, Diab expects the continuation of internal crises in countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt. These crises, which have been exacerbated by the political earthquake in Syria and the war of extermination in Gaza, will have wide repercussions on the regional scene.

On the international level, Diab believes that the world will witness two contradictory paths: the first is represented by possible deals and settlements in areas such as Ukraine and Palestine, and the second is the escalation of tensions in other areas such as Panama and Greenland.

Diab points out that the international system will continue its shift towards multipolarity, as crises within European countries and the United States will continue to escalate, not only against the backdrop of elections, but also as a result of fundamental changes in the structure of the global system, which has begun to move beyond the idea of unipolarity in favor of a multipolar world.

Diab stresses the need for the Palestinians to carefully read the new map, whether regional or international, and not to rely on traditional readings that have proven to be a failure, especially with regard to betting on the United States and the West as the holders of the keys to political solutions.

Diab believes that recent events, especially the war on Gaza, have shown the decline of the West's ability to impose international legitimacy, which calls for a radical review of Palestinian strategies.

The most important thing, according to Diab, is to rebuild a comprehensive Palestinian national project that restores unity to the Palestinian people under the umbrella of the Palestine Liberation Organization. This unity must include all Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, within a vision based on the two-state solution. This national project will be the most effective means of appearing with a unified Palestinian position before the world, the region, and the various axes.

Fundamental political changes aiming to impose a new reality

Writer and political researcher Dr. Tamara Haddad expects that the year 2025 will witness fundamental political changes aimed at imposing a new reality that responds to the vision of the current US administration led by Republicans, which seeks to formulate a new Middle East.

Haddad expects that the upcoming transformations will particularly affect the Palestinian arena, in light of regional and international arrangements to change the political reality in a way that serves the American and Israeli vision.

Haddad points to the role of the US administration in trying to restructure the Palestinian Authority, as these moves include changes in the leadership and personalities of the Authority to conform to the US vision based on “economic peace.”

Haddad explains that the aim of these arrangements is to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict without achieving a two-state solution according to the borders of June 4, 1967. Instead, the United States seeks to establish a comprehensive and growing state of normalization in the Middle East.

Haddad asserts that these changes will include weakening Hamas and ending its political and military role in Gaza, noting that work is underway to consolidate the situation in the Gaza Strip in 2025, so that it will remain a center for Israeli military operations in the coming years, as the Israeli war has not fully achieved its goals, which include recovering Israeli prisoners and eliminating Hamas once and for all.

Haddad explains that Israel seeks to establish a new settlement reality, which includes control over about 30% of Gaza’s lands, while imposing “security rule” over the Strip.

Haddad asserts that the war in Gaza may not end from Israel's perspective unless two main conditions are met: the handover of Israeli prisoners or Hamas announcing its withdrawal from the political scene.

However, Haddad believes that the Israeli goal to be achieved in 2025, which is not officially announced, goes beyond that to include reducing the population of Gaza through voluntary displacement, especially of the most vulnerable groups such as the sick, the wounded and their families, expecting that these policies will lead to reducing the number of residents of the Strip to only about 800,000 people.

On the other hand, Haddad explains that the year 2025 will witness regional developments that intersect with the Palestinian file, and the most prominent of these files is the Iranian nuclear file, as Israel intends to deal with the Iranian nuclear project through a strategic partnership with the United States. This may be manifested in imposing strict economic sanctions or working to change the Iranian regime, as Israel sees Trump’s return to power as an opportunity to deal with Iran according to strict Israeli conditions.

Other issues in the Middle East that Haddad expects to occur during 2025 include the conflict in Yemen, where Haddad expects international and regional efforts to end the influence of the Houthis to continue.

She points out that Israel will seek to weaken the Houthis by striking infrastructure and strategic sites, paving the way for a new phase of relative stability in the region.

Haddad touched on the issue of Lebanon and southern Syria, where Haddad stated that Israel plans to strengthen its military and security presence in southern Lebanon and southern Syria, as part of its efforts to expand the scope of its security and military operations.

But the most prominent issue in 2025, according to Haddad, is the fate of the Lebanese presidential file, which will play a pivotal role in determining the nature of future tensions.

Haddad asserts that the United States and Israel are seeking to impose a new fait accompli on Palestinian land, which includes strengthening settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. These strategies also aim to weaken the Palestinian Authority through economic and political pressures.

Haddad expects this approach to continue within the framework of the policy of managing the conflict without resolving it, which is the approach that the United States has adopted for years.

Haddad stresses the need for Palestinians to confront these challenges by presenting a unified political vision that is different from the current approach.

Haddad calls for enhancing coordination between Palestinian factions and adopting a political strategy that is compatible with regional and international changes, pointing to the attempts of Israel and the United States of America to undermine the Palestinian national project and liquidate the Palestinian cause.

Haddad believes that the restructuring of the new Middle East, which the United States and Israel seek, depends primarily on marginalizing the Palestinian issue and promoting normalization with Arab countries.

Haddad stresses that these strategies aim to reduce the importance of the Palestinian cause on the international scene, which requires Palestinians to act urgently to preserve their national rights.

In light of these rapid developments, Haddad warns of the danger of continuing to deal with the Palestinian issue in traditional ways, calling for the adoption of a new political program that brings the Palestinian issue back to the forefront and guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and an end to the occupation.

Trump administration intends to support the Israeli government in an unprecedented way

The writer and political analyst specializing in American affairs, Dr. Hussein Al-Deek, believes that the year 2025 carries serious challenges for the Palestinian arena and the regional area, in light of major transformations on the political and security levels.

Al-Deek points out that the administration of US President-elect Donald Trump intends to support the right-wing Israeli government in an unprecedented manner, which will lead to fundamental changes in the Palestinian scene.

Al-Deek explains that the Trump administration may give the green light to Israel to confiscate more Palestinian lands in the West Bank and recognize the annexation of Area C, which represents about 62% of the West Bank, which means canceling any horizon for a two-state solution.

On the internal Palestinian level, Al-Deek points out that the political and geographical division between Palestinian factions may deepen in 2025.

He explains that Israel seeks to transform the West Bank into three separate cantons (north, center, and south), which reinforces the fragmentation of the Palestinian territories.

Al-Deek asserts that the Israeli right is becoming increasingly extreme, and rejects any form of Palestinian entity, whether an independent state or even self-rule.

Al-Deek points out that the war of extermination in the Gaza Strip will continue during the new year, with the possibility of a short-term ceasefire, but Al-Deek confirms that the military operations in the West Bank will be more brutal and destructive, which will increase the targeting of Palestinian land and citizens.

At the regional level, Al-Deek believes that issues such as Syria, Yemen and Iran will dominate international attention.

Al-Deek explains that Syria may enter a transitional phase towards stability and development, with the unification of the Syrian parties under the umbrella of the state.

Al-Deek says: “The next phase will be more stable for the Syrian people, which reflects an international trend towards reducing open conflicts in Syria.”

As for Iran, Al-Deek confirms that Israel is preparing for a military strike targeting Iranian nuclear facilities in 2025.

Al-Deek says: “Trump’s arrival to power will give Israel cover to carry out this strike, which may include destroying the Iranian nuclear reactor and perhaps seeking to overthrow the regime.”

In Yemen, Al-Deek explains that Israel may take military action against the Houthis, either through air strikes or supporting local forces to provoke more internal conflicts, noting that this front will remain open, as regional tensions continue.

Regarding Lebanon, Al-Deek points out that the situation may witness a new military escalation, depending on the extent of the Lebanese resistance’s readiness to engage in a confrontation with Israel.

Al-Deek says: "Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon easily, especially after the end of the temporary truce that was reached through American and French mediation."

On the other hand, Al-Deek warns that the Israeli occupation may seek, during the year 2025, to implement a plan for the forced displacement of Palestinians from the West Bank to Arab countries and Jordan.

Al-Deek confirms that the continuation of the Palestinian division and the failure to renew national institutions will increase the weakness of the Palestinian position in the face of these plans.

Al-Deek says: “The internal Palestinian situation is in dire need of a re-prioritization, including holding legislative and presidential elections, and renewing the legitimacy of the institutions of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the National Council.”

Al-Deek points out that achieving this step may restore hope to the Palestinian people and give the Palestinian cause new momentum on the international scene.

Palestinian crises will extend into the new year

Writer and political researcher Dr. Walaa Qadimat points out that the Palestinian arena witnessed a series of tensions and intertwined crises during the years 2023 and 2024 that included political, economic and security aspects, and will extend into the new year.

Qadeemat confirms that these crises are linked to the repercussions of the war on Gaza, in addition to regional interventions that contributed to fueling internal Palestinian conflicts, especially between the various Palestinian factions.

Qadeemat believes that there are attempts to distract the Palestinians with internal conflicts that weaken the unity of the Palestinian national position, warning of their extension into the new year.

"If attention is not paid to the importance of unifying the Palestinian arena and the Palestinian decision, these challenges will continue and worsen in the new year 2025," Qadeemat says.

At the regional and international levels, the past indicates that the reality is unstable, witnessing increasing conflicts and tensions.

Qadeemat explains that the United States is increasingly paying attention to confronting China, which it considers the biggest challenge to its economy, and this trend may extend for years to come.

Qadeemat explains that confronting China will not be limited to economic aspects, but will be reflected in the regional area, including the Palestinian issue, as the United States seeks to enhance Israeli influence in the region at the expense of the Palestinians.

"The United States will work to re-engineer the region to serve its economic interests first and foremost, and will seek to contain Iran's influence by imposing sanctions and pursuing coercive diplomacy," Qadeem said.

Qadeemat points out that the Middle East region is a priority for the United States, which will work to achieve stability in it in a way that serves its interests without ending the conflicts completely.

"The United States will not seek to end conflicts radically, but will work to calm them down and turn them into low-cost conflicts for it and Israel, while ensuring the continuation of Israeli hegemony," Qadeem says.

Qadeemat stresses that these regional and international transformations require the Palestinians to re-read the variables and absorb their dangerous repercussions.

"There is an urgent need to unify the Palestinian decision and set priorities in a way that ensures facing these challenges, while rallying around one goal, which is the steadfastness of the Palestinian people," Qadeemat said.

She points out that the next phase may witness the re-management of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict using new tools imposed by the United States, such as economic influence and coercive diplomacy.

Qaddimat points out that these strategies may include reviving US President-elect Donald Trump’s vision for the region, which seeks to re-engineer the Middle East to serve the rise of Israel, contain regional conflicts, and punish regional powers in favor of Israel.