About This Event

As the Obama administration takes its first steps to advance a sustainable two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and as a new Israeli government prepares to take office, Middle East Progress, Americans for Peace Now and the American Task Force on Palestine invite you to a discussion with Israeli Brigadier General (Ret.) Ilan Paz and Ghaith al-Omari, a former senior advisor to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

The conversation will examine key issues, including how to best to rebuild Gaza, how to avoid strengthening Hamas while bolstering Palestinian moderates, and how or whether the United States should engage with a possible Palestinian national unity government.

Featured panelists:

Brigadier General (Ret.) Ilan Paz, former head of the Israeli Civil Administration in the West Bank (2002-2005)
Ghaith al-Omari, advocacy director, American Task Force on Palestine; advisor, Middle East Progress; former advisor to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas

Discussion moderated by:

Brian Katulis, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress, advisor, Middle East Progress

A light breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m.

RSVP

Click here to RSVP for this event
For more information, call 202-682-1611

Location

Center for American Progress
1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20005

Map & Directions
Nearest Metro: Blue/Orange Line to McPherson Square or Red Line to Metro Center

Middle East Progress highlights practical approaches to make Americans safer by improving U.S., Israeli and regional security and strengthening America's global standing. Middle East Progress publishes the Middle East Bulletin, promotes public-private partnerships and encourages new ideas and strategies by bringing together, from around the world and across the country, those who can most effectively shape the policy dynamic on security and economic issues, by hosting meetings, panels and conferences, to discuss ideas, create new approaches and strategize on how best to implement them within and across borders.

Americans for Peace Now (APN) was established in 1981 to mobilize support for the Israeli peace movement, Shalom Achshav (Peace Now). Over the years APN has developed into the leading voice of American Jews who support Israel and support a comprehensive political settlement to the Arab-Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, recognizing that only peace will ensure Israel's security, prosperity and continued viability as a Jewish, democratic state. Positions advocated for more than two decades by APN and Shalom Achshav - like calling for the evacuation of settlements and the creation of a viable Palestinian state – are now embraced by most American Jews and Israelis as basic requirements both for peace and for a secure future for Israel. Working in tandem with our colleagues in Israel, APN provides this pro-Israel, pro-peace, American Jewish perspective to lawmakers and policymakers in Washington, engages in grassroots political activism and outreach to the American Jewish and Arab American communities, and serves as a respected source of balanced information, analysis, and commentary to the media.

The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Washington, DC. ATFP is dedicated to advocating that it is in the American national interest to promote an end to the conflict in the Middle East through a negotiated agreement that provides for two states - Israel and Palestine - living side by side in peace and security. ATFP works to build strong working relationships with government departments and agencies, think tanks and NGOs and the media. ATFP has also engaged in humanitarian fundraising to support health and education causes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The Task Force advocates the development of a Palestinian state that is democratic, pluralistic, non-militarized and neutral in armed conflicts.