Khalil Shikaki

Khalil Shikaki is a professor of political science and director of the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research (Ramallah). He has a PhD in political science from Columbia University and has taught at several Palestinian and U.S. universities. His research has focused on the peace process, Palestinian state-building, public opinion, the transition to democracy and the impact of domestic Palestinian politics on the peace process. His recent publications include “Coping with the Arab Spring: Palestinian domestic and regional ramifications” (Middle East Brief no. 58) and Public Opinion in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: The Public Imperative during the Second Intifada, with Yaacov Shamir (Indiana University Press).

Research areas:  Middle East and North Africa

Publications

Gaza war II: Hamas's tough choices
A demonstration in the village of Qaddum was subject to an extensive tear gas attack by the Israeli army, 16 Nov 2012, by Tal King Photograhper under CC license on Flickr Khalil Shikaki 4 December 2012
The November 2012 Gaza war has confronted Hamas with two contradictory impulses: abandon Iran in favour of gaining a de facto state in Gaza or cement its relations with Iran, but lose the momentum to build a state in Gaza. A decision to abandon Iran would weaken Hamas's ability to confront Israel in the inevitable next round of hostili... more  
The future of Israel-Palestine: a one-state reality in the making
Jerusalem by Michael Tyler Khalil Shikaki 14 May 2012
With no agreement on a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in sight, one-state dynamics are gaining momentum – a development that will be difficult to reverse or even contain. In the medium and long term, no one benefits from such a development. An ugly one-state dynamic has no happy ending. more  
For lack of a better alternative, Palestinians go to the UN
Mahmoud Abbas (left), President of the National Palestinian Authority, delivers an application for full Palestinian membership in the United Nations to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras Khalil Shikaki 29 September 2011
Having lost confidence in the peace process, Palestinians, who normally do not view the UN as an effective conflict resolution instrument, seem to fully support their leadership's decision to seek UN membership and recognition. Fully aware of the harsh consequences that might follow, the Palestinian public seems to prefer these consequ... more  

Source URL:http://peacebuilding.no/eng/About-NOREF/Authors/Khalil-Shikaki