A National Summit to Reassess the US-Israel "Special Relationship"

[For additional information and to register, go to the main Summit website: http://natsummit.org/]

This one-day, nonpartisan symposium will examine the impact of the U.S.-Israel relationship on Americans.  Speakers and attendees will include military, diplomatic, intelligence, academic, governmental and economic experts, as well as former and current Congressional representatives.

Place: Washington D.C. – National Press Club

Dates: March 7, 2014
Executive Summary

US financial, military, and diplomatic support for Israel has grown significantly and steadily throughout the past 60 years, and now dwarfs American assistance to any other nation.  Recent surveys indicate that the U.S.-Israel “special relationship” is a major factor in hostility towards Americans.  Some experts further suggest that concerns for Israel have been central to our waging of wars in the Middle East.  Indeed, Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) recently delivered a letter to President Obama in which he warned that any military action taken against Syria or Iran without first obtaining Congressional authorization is an impeachable offense.  Yet despite such concerns, Congress has never comprehensively evaluated the role of Israel in promoting these causes, nor has it ever examined the impact of Israel’s influence on our overall national security and international standing.  

The time has come for such an inquiry.

The Council for the National Interest (CNI), Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, If Americans Knew, and Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy (IRMEP) are organizing an historic event that will serve to inform the public on how consequential our “special relationship” with Israel has been for the United States.  We will invite speakers from diverse professional fields and with top credentials to examine our current policies and make recommendations.  Such expert analysis will include discussion on all avenues of U.S. support to Israel, its ramifications on the economy, and a thoughtful debate on whether, or in what form, it should continue.

This historic summit is intended to provide an in-depth, multifaceted inquiry into a critical subject matter.  Policy makers, academics, and members of the public are invited to attend. Panelists will include former military and diplomatic personnel, intelligence officers, scholars, economists, and a variety of subject-matter experts.  

While this singular event will not change policies overnight, we anticipate that it will play a significant role in raising awareness and, in due course, changing the national discourse on this important but largely ignored topic.

The Summit will provide invaluable networking opportunities, including a chance to interact with distinguished panelists.

Your contribution to the success of this important initiative is greatly appreciated.

Sponsors: the Council for the National Interest, The Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy, the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, and If Americans Knew.

To Register: http://natsummit.org/