Download the transcript of his talk.

Why is Shimon Peres visiting Washington, DC? What is on his agenda?

Scott Lasensky: Given the position’s largely ceremonial role, the visit of an Israeli president to Washington would normally generate more photo opportunities than headlines. But Peres’s visit is different. Given his legendary reputation, his standing as Israel’s elder statesman, and his reputation for diplomatic surprises, the visit has taken on greater importance, particularly in light of the lingering crisis of confidence between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Obama administration. There are also rumors Peres could be previewing a much anticipated speech by Netanyahu on the future of peace talks.

At a moment of great anxiety for Israelis, who find themselves increasingly isolated, Peres’s warm reception in the White House, around Washington and in the U.S. could provide a powerful morale boost. More urgently, it could reaffirm Israelis’ confidence in America’s peacemaker role, long a vital element to progress.

Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen: Official word from both the White House and the office of Israeli President Shimon Peres is that the two presidents will discuss U.S.-Israel security cooperation, the recent wave of unrest in the Arab world, and the path forward on the peace process. These three subjects no doubt will dominate Peres’s full slate of Washington meetings with administration officials and lawmakers. They are also three subjects that are closely connected with one another. Peres himself wrote in a recent op-ed in The Guardian that the “Arab Spring” has Israel “watching with great expectation.”

Many other Israelis might use the term “trepidation," as the Israeli public appears both fascinated and apprehensive with regard to the evolving events taking place domestically among its neighbors. Initial signals suggest that the caretaker military government of Egypt and more likely presidential candidates intend to respect Egypt’s treaty obligations towards Israel, but these signals have not removed concern from the Israeli public regarding the long southern border with Egypt, not to mention Egypt’s border with Hamas controlled Gaza.

Meanwhile, unprecedented protests in Syria create uncertainty in the north as well where -- however hostile the Assad regime -- Israel had at least been able to count on its internal stability. Against this uncertain backdrop, Israel views ensuring its security cooperation and strong relationship with the U.S. as more vital than ever. While some in Israel may prefer to try and keep the Palestinian issue on the back burner, the increasing press by the Palestinian Authority for de jure statehood through United Nations channels, coupled with the broader regional unrest, has many realizing that the issue cannot be ignored. While the role of Israel's president is largely ceremonial, Peres carries the gravitas of an elder statesman, is strongly identified in the United States as a champion of peace with the Palestinians, and is not associated with the tension that has marked relations between the Obama administration and Prime Minister Netanyahu.

At this great time of uncertainty in his country, it is possible that a positive visit will serve to restore some of the confidence needed back home for reengagement on the peace process.

Where does the peace process stand now?

Scott Lasensky: The Middle East peace process is at a dangerous standstill. The parties don’t seem interested in meaningful negotiations, violence has increased, and there’s a diplomatic vacuum given that the U.S. and the international community have apparently put no new ideas on the table. The situation is also at a standstill given the political tumult now sweeping the region, which has created anxiety in Israel and led to greater caution by its leaders. Even some of the strongest supporters of the peace process in Israel are adopting a wait-and-see approach. The Palestinian leadership is starkly divided, with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and Fatah in charge in the West Bank and the militant group Hamas in Gaza---and both vying for leadership of the Palestinian national movement. Further complicating matters, the PLO leadership continues to oppose an unconditional resumption of peace talks.

Without a breakthrough, the situation is likely to deteriorate — whether because of greater violence, or should Palestinians seek recognition of a state (as some have threatened) -- which could then trigger a crisis with Israel and the United States.

Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen: The peace process has been effectively moribund since the end of September 2010, when Israel’s 10 month-moratorium on new settlement construction ended and the parties failed to agree on conditions under which Israel would renew it.

Recent events across the region have largely diverted attention away from the Israeli Palestinian conflict, which Israel seemed for a time to view as to its advantage, but which it may increasingly regret as Latin American countries declare official recognition of a Palestinian state and as back channel efforts by the Palestinian Authority continue towards possible United Nations General Assembly recognition as well.

The United States government clearly disfavors ‘unilateral’ steps by the Palestinian Authority, but that disfavor has not yet been sufficient to dissuade the Palestinians from moving down that road. In addition, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is in need of a "comeback" among his constituency following damaging leaks by Al Jazeera that exposed an unpopular flexibility in previous peace negotiations with Israelis. The Israelis have looked on with some concern, but until now, there has been little apparent appetite for a relaunch of bilateral talks, particularly given recent outbreaks of violence between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza. That said, Israel's own top defense officials have recently called the Netanyahu government to task for its refusal to return to the negotiating table, warning of dire repercussions should the peace process remain frozen, particularly in light of wider regional unrest and uncertainty. There have been press reports that Peres may come to Washington carrying with him the outlines of a peace plan blessed by the Netanyahu government.

It remains to be seen whether Israel’s concern about diplomatic isolation together with U.S. prodding will bring the parties back to the table on serious terms.

What is USIP doing to foster peaceful relations between Israelis and Palestinians, and in support of the peace process?

As part of its ongoing efforts to assist the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, USIP has agreed to provide expert support for the Middle East Quartet. Neil Kritz, USIP’s senior scholar in residence, serves simultaneously as Rule of Law/Justice Sector Adviser in the Office of the Quartet Representative. Dividing his time between USIP and the Quartet office in Jerusalem, he advises the Quartet, Palestinian officials and international donors on efforts to strengthen the Palestinian justice system, and works closely with Palestinian and Israeli officials to facilitate working level cooperation in the justice sector, including through practical support to the Israeli-Palestinian Joint Legal Committee.

USIP has been engaged in this effort to facilitate mutual understanding and practical cooperation in the justice sector for over a decade, beginning in 1999 at the request of the Israeli and Palestinian ministers of justice.