RAND Palestine Initiative

Creating a successful independent Palestinian state poses a wide range of political, economic, social, and environmental challenges. Since 2002, a multidisciplinary team of experts from the RAND Corporation has been working with Palestinians, Israelis, and the international community to develop an in-depth and comprehensive nation-building plan to address these challenges and facilitate the state's success.

Palestine Studies

Featured Study

The RAND Palestine Initiative

A description of the Arc, RAND's proposal for a sweeping infrastructure corridor linking urban centers, within and between the West Bank and Gaza.

Full Document Arabic Version (PDF) Hebrew Version (PDF)

Building a Successful Palestinian State

An examination of how an independent Palestinian state, if created, can be made successful. The authors describe options for strengthening governance, security, economic development, access to water, health and health care, and education, and estimate the financial resources needed for successful development over the first decade of independence.

Full Document Research Brief Research Brief – Arabic (PDF)News Release News Release – Arabic (PDF) News Release – Hebrew (PDF)

The Arc: A Formal Structure for a Palestinian State

This study examines a range of approaches to siting and constructing a modern, high-speed transportation infrastructure, called the Arc. This transportation backbone accommodates substantial population growth in Palestine by linking current urban centers to new neighborhoods via new linear transportation arteries that support both commercial and residential development.

Full Document Research Brief Research Brief – Arabic (PDF)

Helping a Palestinian State Succeed: Key Findings

A summary of two RAND studies, Building a Successful Palestinian State and The Arc: A Formal Structure for a Palestinian State, which enumerates options for facilitating successful Palestinian development.

Full Document (English and Arabic Versions)

Strengthening the Palestinian Health System

This study examines strategies for strengthening the health system of a potential independent Palestinian state. Successful development of the Palestinian health system is worthwhile in its own right, and it may be a relatively cost-effective way to help demonstrate the tangible benefits of independence and peaceful relations with neighboring countries. Moreover, implementation of many of the strategies described can begin prior to independence.

Full Document

Building a Successful Palestinian State: Security

This study examines key external security issues that must be met in order to have a successful independent Palestinian state following a peace agreement with Israel. It makes proposals for an international peace-enabling force, Palestinian security forces, cooperation between Palestine and Israel. The study also examines Palestinian policing, the nature of security arrangements along the Palestinian-Israeli border, counterterrorism efforts, intelligence functions, and broader Middle East security efforts.

News Release Full Document