Haaretz Conference Berlin

October 7 and the Gaza war are challenging longstanding conceptions about the viability of peace in the Middle East and the role of global actors in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the shadow of the war, the Israeli government is pursuing the judicial overhaul, repressing critical voices in the country and tightening its grip on the occupied territories. Israel's oppression of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, often in violation of international law, is taking a rare toll on its special relationship with Germany.

Is Middle East peace still salvageable? And if so, what role might the victims and survivors of the two-year-long war – along with civil society groups – play in the process? How has the Israeli government's assault on democracy affected coverage of the war, and how can journalists be expected to operate under its growing restrictions? In what way is the war in Gaza playing out in the streets of Germany and in its cultural institutions? And how might Germany use its clout to help forge a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and lead the warring sides to a diplomatic solution?

With:

• Ehud Olmert, Former Prime Minister of Israel
• Dr. Nasser Alkidwa, Former Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Member of Fatah Central Committee
• Avi Primor, Former Ambassador of Israel in Berlin
• Prof. Eva Illouz, Professor of Sociology, Jerusalem and Paris, Senior Research Fellow, Van Leer Institute
• Prof. Meron Mendel, Director Anne Frank Center (Frankfurt)
• Michael Sfard, Human Rights Lawyer, an expert in international human rights
• Dr. Franziska Brantner, Chairwomen and Member of parliament of "BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN"
• Mohammad Darawshe, Director of Strategy at the Center for Shared Society at Givat Haviva
• Dr. Wolf Iro, Head of Literature, Goethe-Institut
• Daniel Gerlach, Candid Foundation, Editor-in-Chief of zenith Magazine
• Ayman Odeh, Member of Knesset and leader of the Hadash–Ta'al party
• Amos Schocken, Publisher of Haaretz newspaper
• Jan Philipp Albrecht, President of Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
• Zeruya Shalev, Author
• Dervis Hizarci, Chairman of the board of KIgA
• Dr. Bente Scheller, Head of Middle East and North Africa Division, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Berlin
• Christoph Bautz, Co-Founder and CEO Campact
• Nadav Lapid, Film director and writer
• Esther Solomon, Editor-in-Chief, Haaretz English

The detailed conference program and further information about the event can be found on the conference website. Participation in the event is only possible after registration, which is subject to a fee. The conference will take place at Haus der Berliner Festspiele.

The conference language is English. Translation will not be provided.

Information: 
Bauke Baumann
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
E baumann@boell.de