Israelis and Palestinians tend to be invested in the notion that their conflict is unique in its intractability. But other conflicts have reached a measure of resolution, or at least extended periods of non-violence. Learning from their limited success can offer insights and key policy implications; learning from their failures can provide valuable warnings and lessons. Comparing conflicts can even humanize what's happening in Israel and the occupied territories. conflicts in the Balkans, the Caucasus, Cyprus, Colombia - and even South Africa - can be mined for fresh ideas at a time when the diplomatic process in Israel-Palestine looks hopeless.
The Middle East Institute hosted the Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP) and Mitvim for an in-depth discussion with Dahlia Schiendlin, a leading international public opinion analyst and strategic consultant based in Tel Aviv. She specializes in progressive causes and political and social campaigns in over a dozen countries. FMEP President Lara Friedman moderated the discussion.
Speaker Biographies:
Dahlia Schiendlin
Analyst and Strategic Consultant
a leading international public opinion analyst and strategic consultant based in Tel Aviv, specializing in progressive causes, political and social campaigns in over a dozen countries, including new/transitional democracies and peace/conflict research in Israel, with expertise in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. In Israel, she works for a wide range of local and international organizations dealing with Israeli-Palestinian conflict issues, peacemaking, democracy, religious identity and internal social issues in Israeli society. Dahlia holds a PhD in political science from Tel Aviv University. This talk is based on a comparative conflict policy analysis project Dahlia leads as a policy fellow at Mitvim: The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies.
Lara Friedman
President, FMEP
Lara Friedman is the president of the FMEP. Prior to coming to FMEP early in 2017, Friedman was the director of policy and government relations at Americans for Peace Now. She was previouly a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, serving in Jerusalem, Washington, Tunis, and Beirut. Friedman is a leading authority on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, with particular focus on the Israeli-Arab conflict, settlements and Jerusalem, and the role of the U.S. Congress. She frequently briefs Members of Congress, administration officials, and others in the foreign policy/national security community, and is regularly published in the U.S. and Israeli press. Friedman works closely with Jerusalem expert Danny Seidemann and his NGO Terrestrial Jerusalem. She also participates in various Track II Israeli-Palestinian efforts and is a non-resident fellow at the U.S./Middle East Project.
Co-Sponsors:
