Roundtable: International Recognition of a Palestinian State

The Israel Democracy Institute | 4 Pinsker Street, Jerusalem

When the General Assembly of the United Nations reconvenes on September 13, 2011, one of the topics on its agenda is likely to be recognition of the Palestinian state, perhaps in the form of an official request by the Palestinians for UN membership.  A change in the international status of the Palestinian Authority may have far-reaching implications for Israel's standing on the international stage, for the legal rules that apply to Israel's relations with the Palestinians and the international community, and ultimately for the political and legal discourse in Israel.

On Wednesday, September 14, 2011, the Israel Democracy Institute convened a roundtable on International Recognition of the Palestinian State and its Effect on Political and Legal Discourse in Israel.  This event focused on the challenges that such a change in status will present as well as on possible solutions, and was attended by politicians and diplomats, government officials, military personnel, lawyers and jurists, academics, and prominent political activists.

  • Mr. Shaul Arieli, Negotiator of the "Geneva Initiative"; Member of the Council for Peace and Security
  • MK Daniel Ayalon, Deputy Foreign Minister
  • Dr. Tal Becker, International Fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy
  • Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer, Vice President of Research, Israel Democracy Institute
  • Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Yossi Kuperwasser, Director General for Strategic Affairs
  • Dr. Alon Liel, Former Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Prof. Gabriela Shalev, Former Israeli ambassador to the UN
  • Prof. Yuval Shany, Senior Fellow, Israel Democracy Institute
  • Adv. Gilad Sher, Former CEO for the Prime Minister's Office; The Prime Minister's Policy Coordinator
  • MK Dr. Ahmad Tibi, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset
  • MK Dr. Einat Wilf, Member, Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee