Shira Efron

Shira Efron

Shira Efron "...is director of research at Israeli Policy Forum, a senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies, and an adjunct fellow with the RAND Corporation."

Bio

From the Center for a New American Security:

"Dr. Shira Efron is director of research at Israeli Policy Forum, a senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies, and an adjunct fellow with the RAND Corporation. Her research focus is U.S. Middle East policy and the nexus between climate change and national security. Her studies are featured regularly in Israeli and international media outlets. Previously, Dr. Efron was a Middle East analyst at several think tanks in Washington, D.C., including the Center for American Progress and Middle East Institute. She has a PhD and MPhil in policy analysis from RAND’s Graduate School, an MA in international relations/international business from New York University, and a BSc in biology (major) and computer science (minor) from Tel Aviv University. She is a member of the board of directors of Deborah Forum, which promotes women in the security establishment."

Two-State Solution Endorsed at United Nations Meeting

Shira Efron is an advocate for a Two-State Solution.

"Today, Israel Policy Forum's Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Senior Director of Policy Research Dr. Shira Efron provided a briefing at the U.N. Security Council's meeting on the situation in the Middle East. She outlined how the international community can play a productive role in advancing Gaza's reconstruction and the long-term goal of a two-state outcome while providing meaningful assurances for Israel's security concerns."

J Street National Ceasefire Action Briefing

J Street National Ceasefire Action Briefing

On May 19, 2021, J Street held a "National Ceasefire Action Briefing...on our shared campaign to push the Biden administration to prioritize an immediate ceasefire and address the occupation."

Summary of Discussion Provided by Grok

The J Street discussion, hosted by President Jeremy Ben-Ami in Washington, DC, with Shira Efron, Sally Abed, and Ilan Goldenberg, examines the May 2021 Israeli-Palestinian violence in Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank. J Street calls for a U.S.-led ceasefire, a special envoy, reversal of Trump-era policies like reopening the East Jerusalem consulate, aid for Gaza, and addressing claims of occupation. Shira Efron describes Gaza’s humanitarian crisis—213 deaths, 72,000 displaced, and damaged infrastructure—alleging violence involving "right-wing" groups in Israel and advocating for Gaza reconstruction and Palestinian Authority support. Sally Abed of Standing Together highlights Jewish-Arab grassroots efforts to ease tensions and promote shared goals, despite reported attacks on Arab citizens.

Ilan Goldenberg notes the Biden administration’s private diplomacy to avoid strengthening Benjamin Netanyahu’s domestic standing, with Egypt mediating the Hamas-Israel conflict. He suggests reopening the consulate, appointing an envoy, increasing Gaza aid, and supporting Palestinian elections to address disputes over claims of annexation and occupation. J Street endorses a two-state solution over a single-state outcome, urging U.S. involvement and support for groups like Standing Together to resolve the conflict, driven by Jerusalem tensions and differing views on territorial control.

Special guests:

• Ilan Goldberg, Center for a New American Security
• Sally Abed, Standing Together
• Shira Efron, Institute for National Strategic Studies
• Moderated by Jeremy Ben-Ami