SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Sanford Lakoff, professor emeritus of political science at UCSD, will deliver lectures for the Agency for Jewish Education at locales in Coronado and Carlsbad in December.
First, at the Coronado Library at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 15, Lakoff will deliver a “Mid-East Update.” According to an AJE spokesperson:
“The U.S. effort to restart negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority seems to have stalled. This meeting will examine the obstacles, the benefits of a deal to both sides, the possible shape of a deal, the consequences of failure, and the implications for Israel’s concerns with Iran and U.S. support.”
A week later, at 7 p.m., Dec. 22, at the Carlsbad Dove Library, Lakoff will lecture on “Faith and Fanaticism: Religion as an Obstacle to Peace in the Middle East.”
Said an AJE spokesperson: Originally both Zionism and Palestinian nationalism were secular movements with overtones of religion. Lately, religion has come to play a more central role in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Many of the West Bank (Judea/Samaria) settlers believe that this land belongs to Jews by divine covenant and may not be abandoned. Among the Palestinians Hamas rules in Gaza and is supported by at least a significant minority of Palestinians on the West Bank. Its charter contends that Palestine is an Islamic endowment (waqf) and must not be divided. Hamas has the support of the Islamists who are a potent force throughout the Muslim world. As a result, religion has become a formidable barrier to a peaceful resolution. This meeting will examine this issue and whether and how it could be overcome. ”
For more information on this or future talks in the series, contact the Agency for Jewish Education, (858) 268-9200 ext.102 or www.ajesd.org.
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Preceding based on material provided by the Agency for Jewish Education