Israel after the elections in spotlight at Rice’s Baker Institute

MEDIA ADVISORY

David Ruth
david@rice.edu
713-348-6327

Jeff Falk
jfalk@rice.edu
713-348-6775

Israel after the elections in spotlight at Rice’s Baker Institute

HOUSTON – (May 9, 2019) – Israeli scholar and former top government official Gilead Sher will discuss the aftermath of the country’s recent elections as well as what might transpire as the new government takes shape during a presentation May 16 at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

The event, hosted by the Baker Institute’s Center for the Middle East, is free and open to the public. Registration is required at www.bakerinstitute.org/events/2008.

Who: Gilead Sher, the Isaac and Mildred Brochstein Fellow in Middle East Peace and Security in Honor of Yitzhak Rabin at the Baker Institute and senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) at Tel Aviv University, where he heads the Center for Applied Negotiations.

Baker Institute Director Edward Djerejian, a former U.S. ambassador to Syria and to Israel, will give introductory remarks.

What: A presentation titled “The Israeli Elections: Aftermath and the Path Ahead.”

When: Thursday, May 16, 6:30-8 p.m. A reception will be held at 6.

Where: Rice University, James A. Baker III Hall, Kelly International Conference Facility, 6100 Main St.

Following Israel’s elections on April 9, many questions remain about the direction of the country and region, according to event organizers. As Benjamin Netanyahu is poised to begin his fifth term as prime minister, how will domestic Israeli politics change or stay the same? Accordingly, what will be the long-term effects on the prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians and for broader Israeli-Arab relations? Finally, how might President Donald Trump’s proposal for a “deal of the century” impact an Israeli-Palestinian agreement?

Sher was the chief of staff and policy coordinator for Ehud Barak, former Israeli prime minister and minister of defense. He served as chief and co-chief negotiator from 1999-2001, a tenure that included negotiations at the 2000 Camp David summit and the 2001 Taba talks as well as the 1999 Sharm El-Sheikh Agreement and extensive rounds of covert negotiations. He is also a senior partner at Gilead Sher & Co. Law Offices.

A live webcast will be available at the event page, www.bakerinstitute.org/events/2008.

Members of the news media who want to attend should RSVP to Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

For a map of Rice University’s campus with parking information, go to www.rice.edu/maps. Media should park in the Central Campus Garage (underground).

-30-

Follow the Baker Institute via Twitter @BakerInstitute.

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Founded in 1993, Rice University’s Baker Institute ranks among the top three university-affiliated think tanks in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute’s strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes — including a public policy course — and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute’s blog, http://blogs.chron.com/bakerblog.