President George Bush has made clear his commitment to defensible borders for the State of Israel. With the Gaza withdrawal slated for completion in August 2005, what will the president's commitment mean for Israel? What does the concept of "defensible borders" mean for the West Bank, and will it have implications for final status arrangements? Can the international community find answers that will satisfy the political and security requirements of both Israel and the Palestinians?
These and other questions will be the subject of an AEI presentation and discussion. Former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Dore Gold and former chief of assessment for Israeli Military Intelligence Major General (reserve) Yaakov Amidror will discuss defensible borders, the Gaza withdrawal, and implications for the West Bank. Scott Lasensky, senior research analyst and Middle East specialist at the United States Institute of Peace; retired U.S. Army general John Foss (who, as commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, served as commander of the Multinational Force of Observers organization in the Sinai); and AEI scholar Richard Perle will respond.
