Former Ambassador Dennis Ross to address Tidewater community

by | Sep 19, 2016 | What’s Happening

Tuesday, September 20, 7:30 pm,  Sandler Center for the Performing Arts 

The Israel Today 2016–2017 season, sponsored by Charles Barker Automotive, begins with visiting expert Dennis Ross, who will discuss his new book, Doomed to Succeed: The U.S.-Israel Relationship from Truman to Obama and the potential impact of the 2016 U.S. presidential election on foreign policy.

Presented by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Community Relations Council, Simon Family JCC, and community partners, in collaboration with the Virginia Beach Forum, Ross will also speak at the UJFT’s annual campaign kick-off at 5:45 pm, prior to addressing the larger community at 7:30 pm.

From his first days nearly 30 years ago as a young Pentagon planner in the Carter administration to his latest White House tour in the Obama administration, Ambassador Dennis Ross has been at the heart of American foreign policy and the U.S.-Israel relationship. His postings have spanned the administrations of five presidents, both Democrat and Republican.

Ross was instrumental in assisting Israelis and Palestinians reach the 1995 interim Agreement, successfully brokered the 1997 Hebron Accord, and facilitated the 1994 Israel-Jordan peace treaty. Currently, Ross is counselor and the William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at the Washington institute for Near East Policy and a Distinguished Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

Ross’ latest book, Doomed to Succeed, chronicles 11 presidents and their relations with Israel, weaving together diplomatic history and personal experience to recount the presidents’ attitudes toward Israel and the region. A “must read” for policy makers in Washington, and a “must hear” for those not in Washington and voters this November.

For more information on the series, including a list of upcoming events, visit www.jewishva.org/IsraelToday or call 965-6107.

General admission and student tickets are still available and can be purchased for $40 and $10, respectively, at www.jewishva.org/IsraelToday or at the door.