Debbie Kestin Schildkraut of Edison, chair of the annual education symposium of Hadassah’s Southern New Jersey Region, presents a gift to Daniel Kurtzer, former U.S. ambassador to Israel and Egypt. The seminar took place April 8-9 at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe. Photos courtesy Hadassah Southern NJ Region
April 22, 2008
Although the primary responsibility for negotiating peace rests with Israel and her Arab neighbors, it is the United States that must expand its role in the peace process to make it a reality, according to the former American ambassador to Egypt and Israel.
“Everybody knows there will be a two-state solution,” Daniel Kurtzer told members of Hadassah’s Southern New Jersey Region April 8.
Kurtzer, now the S. Daniel Abraham Professor of Middle East Policy Studies at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, said the challenge for America’s leaders is to use their power “to shepherd a peace settlement.”
Hadassah’s two-day education symposium at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe also featured Debbie Friedman, national Hadassah Jewish education chair, as the keynote speaker on April 9. Sessions covered such topics as how to talk about Israel, environmental issues facing Israel, and ethics in sports.
Its luncheon was highlighted by a panel of authors — one Cuban, one Egyptian, and one of African descent — discussing “the many faces of Judaism” and the books they wrote about their Jewish heritage.
Leslie Posnock of Ocean Township, left, with authors Carolivia Herron and Ruth Behar. The authors appeared at a panel April 9 to discuss diversity within Judaism.
Kurtzer, who has emerged in recent weeks as an adviser to Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama, laid out views on the Mideast that are bound to be scrutinized in the run-up to the Pennsylvania Democratic primary.
Kurtzer lauded the accomplishments of Israel despite its lack of natural resources and constant external threats.
“To the extent that this society continues to live and thrive is a miracle,” he said. “But there is a situation. It doesn’t seem things are getting better. They’re not necessarily worse, but they’re more challenging. It’s unclear who Israel’s partner for peace is.”
But Kurtzer also asserted that no other third party could wield the kind of influence the United States can in bringing all parties to a resolution. It’s a theme discussed at length in a new book he has written with Scott B. Lasensky, Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace: American Leadership in the Middle East.
“There must be a robust American role,” said Kurtzer.
He expressed disappointment with the failure of the Bush administration, which has been in power for more than seven years, to exercise such leadership.
Kurtzer said it is in Israel’s best interest to negotiate with any Arab state willing to come to the bargaining table. “Why wouldn’t you negotiate with your enemies?” he asked rhetorically.
In response to an audience question about which presidential candidate would best serve the interests of Israel and its quest for peace, the former ambassador acknowledged his endorsement of Obama.
“I want a president who’s ready to engage the world,” said Kurtzer, who added that he approached his choice based on his career in diplomacy. “It’s easy to talk to your friends. It’s not so easy to talk with your enemies.”
Spencer Rockman of Edison speaks about his effort to organize soccer clinics for Ethiopian children in Israel.
Throughout his career, Kurtzer, a native of Elizabeth, said he has always lived an observant Jewish life while fulfilling his duties as a representative of the American government. Kurtzer is a former Yeshiva College dean who also served for a time as the commissioner of Israel’s fledgling baseball league.
“Sheila and I maintained a kosher home overseas and we always tried to observe Shabbat,” he said. “I always identified myself as a Zionist, but I never forgot I was working for the American government. That is where my responsibility started, proceeded, and ended.”
The dual loyalties never presented a conflict for Kurtzer, he said, despite his being intimately involved in Middle East peace negotiations throughout his career.
“There has never been a moment in the past 30 years where I felt I had to decide between my personal interests and professional obligations,” said Kurtzer, adding that minor disagreements between Israel and the United States over loan guarantees or settlements did not put the Jewish state in jeopardy.
“There was never a matter of security or national necessity for Israel,” he added. “I was never forced to make a choice.”
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