Sponsor: Kol Ami, the Northern Virginia Reconstructionist Community
Date: Sunday, February 12, 2012
Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm
Location: 6507 Jay Miller Dr., Falls Church VA 22041
Cost: Free
Dairy/vegetarian food will be served
Childcare will be provided
Contact phone: 571-271-8387

DR. GERSHON BASKIN:  THE CONDUIT TO FREEDOM

Sharing the Secrets that Freed Gilad Shalit

BETHESDA, MD -- Dr. Gershon Baskin, secret negotiator for the release of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, will share the astonishing story and historic implications of this powerful global event at an afternoon presentation on Sunday, February 19th.

The lecture, sponsored by the Alliance for Middle East Peace and the Global Campaign for Middle East Peace, and hosted jointly by Bethesda Jewish Congregation and Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, is set for 3:00-5:30 pm and will include opportunities for questions and informal discussion with Dr. Baskin.

A long line of diplomats and intelligence officers from Egypt, Germany, France, Turkey and other countries tried for more than five years to reach a deal that would free Shalit. The breakthrough came only in May 2011 as a result of six years of intensive and unauthorized effort by Dr. Baskin, a veteran Israeli peace activist – hailed by the New York Times as a “tenacious peacenik without resources” -- who succeeded when both diplomatic and military activities failed.  Dr. Baskin, also an accomplished journalist and raconteur, will detail the fascinating behind-the-scenes narrative of his secret negotiations and discuss lessons learned.

Dr. Baskin founded and co-directs IPCRI �  the Israel Palestine Center for Research and Information;  served as an outside advisor for the peace process to two Israeli Prime Ministers;  is a Jerusalem Post Columnist;  and hosts a talk show radio program on All for Peace Radio.  He has been awarded peace prizes from the President of Italy, the Turkish Foreign Policy Institute and the Israeli Histadrut Labor Federation.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Middle East Peace.

The free lecture is open to the public:   6601 Bradley Boulevard, Bethesda MD  20817.

Light refreshments will be served and complimentary childcare is available by reservation. RSVP to:  eventsbjc@gmail.com or info@allmep.org.