Events → Conferences
15 Oct
Second Annual Atkin Conference: Palestine in Prospect: Israeli Security, Palestinian Sovereignty, and the Practicalities of Peace
On Friday 8th October, ICSR hosted the Second Annual Atkin Conference at King’s College London. Over 200 participants attended the event, entitled Palestine in Prospect: Israeli Security, Palestinian Sovereignty, and the Practicalities of Peace, including leading policymakers, academics and experts on the Middle East.
The aim of the conference was to explore the practical realities behind the establishment of a Palestinian state and to expand upon the themes raised by the research of our Atkin Fellows. Much of the discussion about the future of the region rarely gets beyond the stuttering peace process or the political obstacles to negotiations or an agreed settlement. Thus, the Atkin Conference moved beyond the discussion of these issues and addressed the practical realities for the future of the region, such as: What might a Palestinian state look like in practice? How are the interests of Israel likely to be affected? And is there any common ground on long-term aims for the region?
In addition to ICSR’s eight Atkin Fellows, speakers at the conference included:
• Prof. Majid Al-Haj – Vice-President, University of Haifa
• Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell – Former PM of Canada
• Brig. Gen. (ret.) Shlomo Brom – Institute for National Security Studies
• Diana Buttu – former spokesperson, PLO
• Mr. Efraim Halevy – former Director of Mossad
• H.E. Dr. Manuel Hassassian – Palestinian General Delegate to UK
• Prof. Rory Miller – King’s College London
• Dr. Ron Pundak – Director General of Peres Center for Peace
• H.E. Dr. Sabri Saidam – advisor to Palestinian President
• Prof. Yezid Sayigh – King’s College London
• Brig. Gen. (ret.) Baruch Spiegel – former senior advisor to Israeli Ministry of Defense
• Mr. Michael Young – opinion editor Daily Star, Beirut
• Dr. Abrahim Althonayan – Brunel University
• Dr.Hasan Al Momani, director Regional Centre on Conflict Prevention
