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Grisha Yakubovich

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Grisha Yakubovich (Hebrew: גרישה יקובוביץ; born October 3, 1967) is the former Head of the Civil Department for the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) that oversaw economic and infrastructural projects and the facilitation of humanitarian issues in the Palestinian territories. As an IDF colonel with thirty years of experience in facilitating cooperative efforts between Israelis and Palestinians,[1] he concluded his military service in the Israeli Defense Force in 2016. He currently serves as a policy and strategy consultant to various international NGOs, private companies, and research institutes,[2][3] and implements cooperation projects between Israelis, Palestinian, and International businesses in the public and private sectors.[4][5]

Military career

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Colonel Yakubovich served as Head of the Civil Coordination Department of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT),[6] overseeing economic and infrastructural projects and the facilitation of humanitarian issues in the Palestinian territories[7] – West Bank and Gaza Strip, including Area C, B and A according to the Oslo Accords. This included infrastructure projects covering water and sewage systems, gas and electricity lines,[5] telecommunication structures, and environmental protection,[8] as well as led the coordination and liaison with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestinian population of the territories, and connecting the international communities e.g. NGOs and consulates, to the Palestinian territories[9]

Col. Grisha Yakubovich Head of the Civil Coordination Department, COGAT, briefing Foreign Ambassadors in Israel on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, 31 July 2014
Col. Grisha Yakubovich Head of the Civil Coordination Department, COGAT, briefing Foreign Ambassadors in Israel on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, 31 July 2014

During his service, Yakubovich managed multi-lateral supply chains between Israel, the Palestinians[10] and the international community during Operation Protective Edge, including the supply of critical resources such as food, water and medicine.[11][12] He orchestrated the management of a joint-international, Israeli and Palestinian system that allowed for the continuous transfer of food, water, resources, and reconstruction materials.[13] During Operation Pillar of Defense, Yakubovich led strategic negotiations in Egypt and with the UN in New York to reach a ceasefire with its associated outcomes.

Working closely with Palestinian stakeholders,[14] he collaborated on economic and business spheres in Judea and Samaria and Gaza Strip.[15][16][17]

Economic Cooperations Post-Military

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After his military service, Yakubovich transitioned into a role as a Policy & Strategy Consultant, acting as a strategic analyst for private companies, non-governmental organizations[18] and governmental agencies in Israel, Europe and the United States. Working with Nesher Israel Cement Enterprises, he built the West Bank and Gaza market, including business development, sales, quality assurance, and revenue management.[19]

In addition, he provides lectures and briefings to various delegations and conferences,[20] including European Diplomats,[21] members of the UN,[22] journalists, law enforcement agencies,[23] organizations,[24] federations, and academic institutions.[25][26][27]

Media Presence

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Yakubovich is featured as a live commentator on Israeli and international media outlets speaking about matters in the Middle East such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Hamas, Hezbollah, Egypt, Gaza, among other topics, on channels such as BBC,[28] CNN,[29] Fox News,[30] abc 7,[31] and I-24 News.[32] He also contributes written analysis, interviews, and commentary on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict[33] as a Senior Analyst at the Miryam Institute.[34]

References

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  1. ^ "Col. Grisha Yakubovich". The MirYam Institute. 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  2. ^ "Retired colonel: No one understands Israel more than Hamas".
  3. ^ "Fathom | How to change reality in Gaza and shape the evolution of Hamas". BICOM. 2017-01-12. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  4. ^ "For Palestinians, Israeli permits a complex tool of control | Taiwan News | 2018-04-30 14:40:43". Taiwan News. 2018-04-30. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  5. ^ a b Says, Mervyn Smith. "How to change reality in Gaza and shape the evolution of Hamas: an interview with Grisha Yakubovich". Fathom. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  6. ^ Harris, Emily (May 22, 2013). "West Bank Businesses Seek Growth Amid Uncertainty". NPR.
  7. ^ "Where's the housing boom?" (PDF).
  8. ^ IDF Spokesperson (2014-08-27). "Israeli Humanitarian Aid to Gaza Continues". embassies.gov.il. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  9. ^ "Breaking the Barrier: How Israel and Hamas Communicate". Bridges for Peace. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  10. ^ "הרשות בשירות המשטרה". www.israelhayom.co.il. 2012-12-04. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  11. ^ IDF Spokesperson (2014-08-25). "Under rocket fire from Gaza, humanitarian aid continues". embassies.gov.il. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  12. ^ "Independence in Gaza means terror groups have more to lose – opinion". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  13. ^ גוטמן, ליאור (2014-06-12). "חברת החשמל לבג"ץ: לחייב את האוצר לכסות את חובות הרשות הפלסטינית". כלכליסט – www.calcalist.co.il. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  14. ^ גולדשטיין, תני (2006-09-25). "לראשונה: בן אליעזר אישר לייבא חשמל מירדן ליריחו". Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  15. ^ "איפה תנופת הבנייה?".
  16. ^ Dagres, Holly (2020-04-02). "Isolated Gaza reaches out for help to battle coronavirus". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  17. ^ "UNGA resolution questioned". BusinessWorld Online. 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  18. ^ "Hamas 'plotting to repeat Gaza takeover in Judea and Samaria' - JNS.org".
  19. ^ "נשר מפעלי מלט ישראליים". נשר מלט. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  20. ^ "TIP – The Israel Project" (PDF).
  21. ^ "Seminar in Israel for EU Diplomats" (PDF).
  22. ^ "United Nations Photo – Visit to the tunnel at Kibbutz "Ein Hashlosa" and meeting with inhabitants of Kibbutz Nirim". dam.media.un.org.
  23. ^ "Council for a Secure America" (PDF).
  24. ^ "Start Your Israel Story Trip" (PDF).
  25. ^ Sharon, Gil. "Webcast Events – ישראל והפלסטינים – לאן? סקירה וביקורת מקצועית". video.tau.ac.il. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  26. ^ "Our Speakers". pinskercentre. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  27. ^ "Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning – Swords of Iron Israel Solidarity Trip". meltonschool.org. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  28. ^ "The new Palestinian city that lacks only one thing". BBC News. 2015-02-07. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  29. ^ COGAT: Hamas a major obstacle in rebuilding Gaza | CNN. 2015-06-02. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  30. ^ "Hamas needs to be 'eliminated': Col. Res. Yakubovich | Fox News Video". Fox News. 2023-10-08. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  31. ^ Frolo, Caitlyn (2023-10-13). "Retired Israeli Colonel breaks down Hamas's attacks, shares message of unity as war rages on". KATV. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  32. ^ "i24NEWS". www.i24news.tv. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  33. ^ "An interfaith journey to forge ties between Israel and Pakistan". Religion News Service. 2022-10-05. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  34. ^ "Is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza inevitable?". The MirYam Institute. 2017-10-01. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
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