‘A Key Debate at a Crucial Time in Israeli Relations’

‘Dershowitz in Democracy Tour Across Europe’

Hot on the heals of the Palestinian election and in the wake of the cartoon controversy, Harvard Law School Professor and internationally renowned lawyer, Alan Dershowitz is embarking on a sell-out European tour for Democracy. Presenting ‘the case for Israel, the case for peace’ on his stops in Brussels, the UK (Oxford and London), and Holland (Leiden, Amsterdam and The Hague), Dershowitz will meet and debate with key national and European politicians and decision-makers; academics; embassy officials; journalists; think tanks; student bodies; and community leaders.

Dershowitz is keenly anticipating the trip: “The timing is opportune as I’ve just met with Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, his primary opponent Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in Israel . I firmly believe that when the Palestinians and the Muslim states really want a Palestinian state more than they want to eliminate the Jewish state, there will finally be a two-state solution. I look forward to putting forward this case.”

The tour is being organised by the European Centre for Jewish Students (ECJS). Executive Director, Yossi Waks, acknowledges: “This visit comes at a particularly challenging and crucial time in Israeli relations. Following the Hamas victory, we realize the importance of addressing the impact of the new electoral reality, as well as the likely outcome of the Israeli election. We are delighted to have someone as prominent as Professor Dershowitz to take this on.”

There is no shortage of accolades and achievements for Dershowitz. Over a million copies of his 26 works, including two novels, have been sold worldwide and translated into more than 14 languages. “The Case for Peace” was praised by former US President, Bill Clinton, as “Hopeful and wise, the blueprint for stability prescribed in this book is among the best in recent years”, while Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon emphasized how, “He confronts these difficulties with insight and the benefit of years of experience.”

Dershowitz is no stranger to lecturing – he has spoken in front of a million plus people from Carnegie Hall to the Kremlin, from the Knesset to the French National Assembly.

During his 35-year career as a political figure and criminal lawyer, Dershowitz has served as a consultant to several presidential commissions and testified before congressional committees on numerous occasions. He has advised presidents, UN officials, prime ministers, governors, senators, and members of Congress as well as business leaders about legal and political issues. He notably helped obtain the largest fee in history for lawyers against the cigarette industry. Dershowitz has been honoured with numerous awards in recognition of “his compassionate eloquent leadership and persistent advocacy in the struggle for civil and human rights”. Such is his prominence that he has even been the subject of two New Yorker cartoons, a New York Times crossword puzzle and a Trivial Pursuit question!

This is the second European Tour for Democracy hosted by the ECJS following the success of its original one with Natan Sharansky, former Minister responsible for Jerusalem , Social and Diaspora affairs. The European Centre for Jewish Students (www.ecjs.org) is an organisation founded to develop the infrastructure of the young Jewish generation in Europe – regardless of background, affiliation or practice – by strengthening their knowledge and pride of Jewish heritage and the State of Israel . It does this through a range of social, educational, cultural, and communal programs.

Full details of Professor Dershowitz’s itinerary are available on the ECJS website (www.ecjs.org) and essentially include the following open forums: Brussels, 6 March, 19.30 at the University Libre Belgique; Oxford, 7 March, 14.30 at Oxford University, Magdalen College Auditorium; London, 8 March, 18.00 at University of London’s Brunei Gallery; and Leiden, 9 March, 17.30 at Leiden University.