Join two experts who have both been involved in peace negotiations in the Israel-Palestine conflict for a conversation about the current war in the Middle East. Ambassador Dennis Ross has played an important role in shaping US foreign policy towards the Middle East under multiple presidential administrations, and Ghaith al-Omari has served in a variety of positions within the Palestinian Authority, including as advisor to the negotiating team during the 1999-2001 permanent status talks. Together, they will share their insight on how we got to the current war, what comes next, what peace between Israelis and Palestinians might look like, and what needs to happen to reach that point.
This is the third and final event in the Athenaeum's three-part series, "Perspectives on Israel and Palestine." We encourage attendees to remain open to listening and seeking to understand multiple viewpoints by registering for all three events. The other events are: the Yousef Munayyer talk on Monday, March 18, "Israel's Genocide in Gaza and Our Complicity," and the CMC faculty panel on Tuesday, March 26, "Talking About Israel and Palestine: Faculty Perspectives."
**ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND THIS TALK – This is a "flipped Ath" event, in conjunction with the Open Academy: the reception will be held at 5:30 PM as usual, followed directly by the presentation at 6:00 PM. Dinner (and conversation!) will follow at 6:45 PM, and then Q&A at 7:30 PM.** Dates and water will be provided for those observing iftar. Those breaking their fast may also request a boxed vegetarian dinner to be provided - please reply to your registration confirmation with this request.
Ambassador Dennis Ross is the counselor and William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. He also teaches at Georgetown University’s Center for Jewish Civilization. For more than twelve years, Ambassador Ross played a leading role in shaping U.S. involvement in the Middle East peace process, dealing directly with the parties as the U.S. point man on the peace process in both the George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton administrations. He served two and half years as special assistant to President Obama and National Security Council senior director for the Central Region, spending the first 6 months of the Administration as the special advisor on Iran to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Ghaith al-Omari, the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Senior Fellow in The Washington Institute's Irwin Levy Family Program on the U.S.-Israel Strategic Relationship, is the former executive director of the American Task Force on Palestine. He served as advisor to the negotiating team during the 1999–2001 permanent-status talks in addition to holding various other positions within the Palestinian Authority.
Ambassador Ross and Mr. al-Omari's visit to the Athenaeum is co-sponsored by Hillel International.
