Lines in the Sand:
Origins of the borders in the Middle East, from World War I through Oslo to today
Presented by Historian Ralph Nurnberger

PLUS: Current Events with Prof. Stephen Berk

ABOUT OUR PRESENTER, Historian Ralph Nurnberger:
As the first Director of “Builders for Peace”, Historian Ralph Nurnberger was “in the room” during aspects of the Oslo peace process. Join us for a compelling virtual series exploring the historical forces that have shaped the modern Middle East, presented from an insider’s perspective. From the secret agreements and imperial ambitions of World War I to the transformative Six-Day War and the aspirations and setbacks of the Oslo peace process, we’ll trace how shifting borders and complex diplomacy continue to impact the region today. Each session offers essential context to better understand the Arab-Israeli conflict, the geography of modern Israel, and the ongoing challenges facing the region.

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS:

• • May 6- Fateful Lines in the Sand: Drawing the Outlines of the Middle East
    It is impossible to comprehend the conflicts in the Middle East without understanding how the borders of Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq were established. During World War I British leaders made a series of conflicting promises to Arab leaders, French diplomats, and Zionist representatives regarding the future of the Middle East. This presentation will examine the fascinating cast of characters involved in the often-contradictory secret negotiations, as well as how the results contributed to more than a century of conflicts in the region.

 

• • May 13 – Six Days in ’67: How the Six Day War shaped the course of Middle East Peace
    Some of the events leading up to the Six Day War remain clouded in mystery. What began early on the morning of June 5, 1967, was all over by June 10. It took Israel only six days to immobilize the combined military power of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Israeli forces captured the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank of the Jordan River, Old City of Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. The 1967 war tripled Israel’s territory and spawned U.N. Resolution 242, which became the basis of every peace proposal to emerge over more than five decades of the Arab Israeli conflict. The status of these territories remains a major point of contention between the Israel and Arabs, as well as a defining issue in Israeli domestic politics.

 

• • May 20 – Behind the Handshake: An Insider’s take on the Oslo Peace Process
    The iconic handshake on the White House lawn on September 13, 1993, between longtime enemies Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat, following President Bill Clinton’s drawing them together, was an astounding moment of hope. The negotiations that led up to the handshake were so secret that even Prime Minister Rabin was not initially aware of them. The Oslo Accords were meant to last five years, but the conflict has continued for over three decades and real peace remains elusive. In this presentation, historian and former Director of “Builders for Peace”, which was established to assist the peace process through economic and social programs, Ralph Nurnberger will unravel the intricate web of secret diplomacy, alternating periods of hope and despair, and the conflicting goals and objectives of several supporters and opponents of the Oslo Peace Process. /li>

 

• • May 27 – Current Events Update –with Prof. Stephen Berk:  
    News is moving at breakneck speed these days. We’ll go beyond the headlines from a Jewish perspective, presented by historian and scholar Prof. Stephen Berk.

 

DETAILS:

• Program Cost: $80 for ALL FOUR SESSIONS $70 early bird through April 25
• Featuring Live moderated chat, and post-talk Q&A
• Sessions are recorded – view missed sessions via private link (youtube/google log-in required)
• All sessions begin at 7:30pm ET
• Session size is limited – register now…

REGISTER NOW!