Seminar: Den palæstinensiske kamp for en selvstændig stat

TIME: Thursday, 24 November 2011, 10.30-11.45

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

What is the status of the Israel-Palestine conflict? What are the major obstacles facing the realization of a two-state solution, and what is the state of play internally in Palestinian politics?

TIME: Thursday, 24 November 2011, 10.30-11.45

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

What is the status of the Israel-Palestine conflict? What are the major obstacles facing the realization of a two-state solution, and what is the state of play internally in Palestinian politics?

In September, as part of a new Palestinian strategy, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) submitted its membership application to the UN Security Council. While the application is pending, showing limited prospects of success, Palestine has become a member of another UN body, -UNESCO, and later this week the Palestinians are expected to form a new unity government.

Since 1991, from Madrid, over Oslo, to Annapolis in 2007, the Israelis and the Palestinians have been engaged in negotiations over a two-state solution. Today, however, little progress can be detected in terms of reaching let alone implementing a political agreement.

The negotiations track has reached an all-time low and remains a source of frustration for the parties themselves as well as the members of the Middle East Quartet. Israeli settlements continue to expand in the West Bank, while the Palestinians for four years have faced internal division of their political leadership, as well as territorial fragmentation.

Changing facts on the ground and in demographics combined with the regional changes in power balances following the social protests and upheavals in the Middle East urge new ways of thinking to bring peace to the conflict-trodden region.

This seminar will provide a unique opportunity to get “behind the scene” of the political negotiations and strategizing around the Israel-Palestine conflict as experienced by a Palestinian official who for the last 40 years have been a central figure in Palestinian politics and international diplomatic negotiations.

Speakers:
Dr. Nabil Shatt, International Commissioner for External Relations of Fatah and the Palestinian Authority
Leila Stockmarr, Research Assistant, DIIS
Lars Erslev Andersen, Senior Researcher, DIIS

Programme:

10.15-10.30: Arrival and Coffee

10.30-10.35: Introduction; Lars Erslev Andersen, Senior Researcher, DIIS

10.35-11.05: Which Way for Palestine Now?; Dr. Nabil Shaat, International Commissioner for External Relations of Fatah and the Palestinian Authority

11.05-11.15: Discussant; Leila Stockmarr, Research Assistant, DIIS

11.15-11.45: Q and A

The seminar will be held in English.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Please use the online registration form from the website no later than Wednesday, 23 November 2011 at 12.00 noon.

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