706Z Fall 2026 Contested Lands: Israel, Palestine, and the Struggle for Sovereignty

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a long-standing struggle over land, self-determination, and mutual security, centered on competing claims to the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. Key current issues include: the government sanctioned expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the future status of Gaza, and Palestinian refugee rights. This session will provide a brief historic overview and a summary of most recent political and humanitarian initiatives affecting both parties to the conflict and outside interests. It will concentrate on security concerns for both Palestinians and Israelis, urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, and the role(s) of outside mediators, political interests, and options for Gaza reconstruction. It will conclude with a set of recommendations intended to help reduce human suffering and address impediments to conflict resolution.

Jim Bever retired from USAID Senior Foreign Service. His stellar career included assignments as mission director in the West Bank and Gaza (WB&G) and in Egypt. In Washington, he co-chaired the U.S. government WB&G Interagency Working Group. A more detailed CV will be available to course participants.

Brad Wallach is retired from the USAID Senior Foreign Service. He served as office director and senior economist at USAID/WB&G for five years. He also taught graduate economics at the National Defense University. A more detailed CV will be available to course participants.

James Winkler, Ph.D. has over 40 years of experience in international economic development and business. He has worked on Israeli-Palestinian economic and business development issues as a business and economic advisor and Chief of Party for USAID projects, including economic development projects in the Palestinian territories. He has been an advisor to Palestinian business leaders, civil society leaders, trade associations, and government agencies.