Seminar: Det Arabiske Forår har isoleret Israel

Time: Wednesday 22 June at 13 – 15 hours

Venue: Danish Institute for International Studies, Main Auditorium, ground floor, Strandgade 71, Christianshavn, 1401 Kbn K

BACKGROUND

In the context of the Arab Spring, Israel is becoming more isolated in the region. Despite its military and economic strength, Israel is facing crucial strategic threats and challenges.

Time: Wednesday 22 June at 13 – 15 hours

Venue: Danish Institute for International Studies, Main Auditorium, ground floor, Strandgade 71, Christianshavn, 1401 Kbn K

BACKGROUND

In the context of the Arab Spring, Israel is becoming more isolated in the region. Despite its military and economic strength, Israel is facing crucial strategic threats and challenges.

Firstly, Israel has failed to deal with its two most pressing challenges: to reach political agreements with the Palestinians and Syria. The Palestinian effort to achieve independence at the UN in September is likely to isolate Israel further on the international scene. And in the case of Syria, we might see a new regime with an even more hostile policy towards Israel.

Secondly, Israel’s failure to improve its relations with the Arab and Muslim world and reduce or contain the strategic threats from Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas has left the state in a highly vulnerable position.

Thirdly, the degenerated relation with Turkey and the severe weakening of Israel’s ties with Egypt and possibly Jordan poses a range of new challenges.

What brought about these challenges for Israel? And how are they best to be dealt with and solved to secure a stable region and better conditions for Palestinian-Israeli reconciliation? Is it not too late for Israel to abandon its status quo policies and accept the Saudi-Arab Peace Initiative of 2002.

With the prospects of growing Islamic and nationalistic radicalization in the Middle East this seems more pressing than ever.

Speakers

* Moshe Ma’oz, Professor Emeritus, Hebrew University, Jerusalem
* Lars Erslev Andersen, Senior Researcher, DIIS

PROGRAMME

13.00-13.05
Introduction by Lars Erslev Andersen, Senior Researcher, DIIS

13.05-14.00
Israel and the Changing Middle East: Dangers and Challenges by Moshe Maoz, Professor Emeritus, Hebrew University, Jerusalem

14.00-14.15
Coffee Break

14.15-15.00
Questions and Debate

Chair: Leila Stockmarr, Research Assistant, DIIS

The seminar will be held in English.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Please use our online registration form on http://www.diis.dk/sw109378.asp

And do so no later than Tuesday, 21 June 2011 at 12.00 noon.

Please await confirmation by e-mail from DIIS for participation.

Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), The Conference Section, Strandgade 56, 1401 Kbn K, tlf. 32 69 87 51, e-mail: [email protected] og web: www.diis.dk