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Daniel Kurtzer

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  • Critical Voice on the Middle East, Israel & Egypt
  • United States Ambassador to Israel (2001-2005)
  • United States Ambassador to Egypt (1997-2001)
  • Professor of Middle East Policy, Princeton University

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Public policy and diplomacy expert Daniel Kurtzer is a uniquely qualified speaker on the Middle East, offering a distinct perspective on geopolitics formed through firsthand experience. In over three decades in the U.S. Foreign Service, Ambassador Kurtzer served as the United States Ambassador to Israel (2001-2005) and as the United States Ambassador to Egypt (1997-2001). After retiring from the State Department, he served as a member of Secretary of State John Kerry’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board and as an advisor to the bipartisan Iraq Study Group. Ambassador Kurtzer’s hands-on experience with diplomacy and clear, engaging breakdown of the major regional issues leads to informative talks with practical takeaways.

Ambassador Kurtzer currently teaches diplomacy and conflict resolution at Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs. He is also the co-author of Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace: American Leadership in the Middle East; co-author of The Peace Puzzle: America’s Quest for Arab-Israeli Peace, 1989-2011; and editor of Pathways to Peace: America and the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Ambassador Kurtzer’s well-researched opinions, history-first understandings, and experience speaking on the Middle East ensure a nuanced conversation that leaves audiences feeling more connected to the issues of discussion.

 


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Past Hosts Include:
  • American Jewish Committee
  • Sutton Place Synagogue
  • JUF Chicago
  • United Jewish Federation Of Northeastern New York
  • New Israel Fund
  • Michigan State University Hillel
  • Beth Tzedec Synagogue
  • JNF of Hamilton, Ontario
  • Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Dallas
Rave Reviews About Daniel Kurtzer
“
All I can tell you is that this man is a gem. For Israel Independence Day, our audience consisted of a wide-range of people: Democrats, Republicans, left, right and center, Reform, Conservative and Orthodox - including members of our interfaith community. He is articulate, extremely knowledgeable, gets his points across most coherently, was totally accepted by everyone and was a true "mensch".He also has a good sense of humor - which does not hurt. He spoke without a note, was "up" on all aspects of world affairs - as we had a question and answer period and there were questions about the "world" situation which he did not cover in his speech and the facts just came rolling off his tongue. As you know, my standards are very high. I can only tell you that Ambassador Kurtzer is tops on the list and will be an asset in any community or academic setting.

”
More rave reviews

"Amb. Kurtzer was not only a fantastic speaker but a really delightful guest. He was very unassuming and generous with his time and above all insight and knowledge. He'll be a hard act to follow, but I know you'll come up with somebody equally as special next time we call on you for help."

-Sutton Place Synagogue

"He gave a great presentation that apparently worked for both right and left points of view—which is quite an accomplishment when it comes to Israel. They had a good turnout and were very, very happy with him, the presentation and the event. I actually just got off a long conversation with my colleague, and she was so excited about it that she practically repeated the whole talk herself! "

-JUF Chicago

"On all levels, Ambassador Kurtzer was one of the best speakers we have had. While he spoke on a very high level, he made his concepts understandable to our audience. Additionally, he was very friendly and cooperative. He is a true mensch. I would recommend him very highly."

-United Jewish Federation Of Northeastern New York

"The event went very well. The ambassador really knew how to speak to our audience. I've gotten excellent reviews. Thanks for your help in making this happen. "

-New Israel Fund

"It was great. He is such a nice man and his lecture was well organized and very informative. We had many faculty present who were very appreciative that Hillel brought him to campus. He was an excellent choice for us."

-Michigan State University Hillel

"Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer, who spoke this week at Congregation Beth Tzedec and The Munk Center in Toronto was "

-Beth Tzedec Synagogue

"I just wanted to let you know that Ambassador Kurtzer's involvement at our recent Negev Dinner in Hamilton was very well received. He was an excellent speaker and he made friends with our leadership right away. He was very accommodating and very approachable. I would recommend him to other groups who might be interested in having a speaker with excellent insight into Middle East politics."

-JNF of Hamilton, Ontario
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Keynote - Our World Today | JBS [56:04] - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Daniel Kurtzer
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The Middle East: Ongoing Efforts Towards Peace

Drawing from his experiences as a prominent United States diplomat, Ambassador DANIEL KURTZER expounds on how policy in the Middle East ultimately influences our everyday lives and the global community, providing an unparalleled perspective on the most up-to-date developments in this turbulent regio ...

Drawing from his experiences as a prominent United States diplomat, Ambassador DANIEL KURTZER expounds on how policy in the Middle East ultimately influences our everyday lives and the global community, providing an unparalleled perspective on the most up-to-date developments in this turbulent region. His insightful analysis of the obstacles ahead provides audiences with an insider's perspective of their world and on the prospects for peace in the Middle East.

Stories of Diplomacy

Ambassador DANIEL KURTZER has served as a diplomat in some of the most politically complex regions of the world. He has had the privilege of being in the room for many groundbreaking policy decisions and negotiations in Israel and Egypt. Reflecting on his time spent abroad, Ambassador Kurtzer shares ...

Ambassador DANIEL KURTZER has served as a diplomat in some of the most politically complex regions of the world. He has had the privilege of being in the room for many groundbreaking policy decisions and negotiations in Israel and Egypt. Reflecting on his time spent abroad, Ambassador Kurtzer shares his personal, professional, and global takeaways on negotiation, diplomacy, and peace.

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Speaker News

Daniel Kurtzer receives rave reviews for his talks on the Middle East

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel (2001-05) and Egypt (1997-2001), DANIEL KURTZER sheds illuminating light on the prospect for peace agreements in the Middle East. Ambassador Kurtzer offers audiences his shrewd insights on the current administration’s approach to relations with Israel, highlighting shifts in strategy and approach from one administration to the next, and what the impacts are. Here are a few of his rave reviews:

  • United Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York: "On all levels, Ambassador Kurtzer was one of the best speakers we have had. While he spoke on a very high level, he made his concepts understandable to our audience. Additionally, he was very friendly and cooperative. He is a true mensch. I would recommend him very highly."
  • JUF Chicago: "He gave a great presentation that apparently worked for both right and left points of view—which is quite an accomplishment when it comes to Israel. They had a good turnout and were very, very happy with him, the presentation, and the event.”
  • Sutton Place Synagogue: "Amb. Kurtzer was not only a fantastic speaker but a really delightful guest. He was very unassuming and generous with his time and above all insight and knowledge.”

Watch Daniel Kurtzer’s keynote at JBS here >>

Daniel Kurtzer leads critical discussions on foreign policy

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel (2001-05) and Egypt (1997-2001), DANIEL KURTZER is in-demand for his sharp analysis on foreign relations and conflict in the Middle East. Sought-out for in-depth interviews on current events, Ambassador Kurzer often speaks live on the Middle East with CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times, and more. Recently, he shared possible approaches to holistic reconstruction in post-war Gaza with The Atlantic and how Israel can learn from historical precedent with Haaretz.

He also keeps audiences updated via a column with Foreign Affairs, covering diplomacy, war, and policy decisions. His vision for ongoing possibilities of peace and post-war policy provides a thought-provoking opportunity to challenge assumptions about the region and forge a path forward.

Read Daniel Kurtzer’s column on Foreign Affairs here >>

Watch Daniel Kurtzer’s keynote at JBS here >>

Author Daniel Kurtzer writes nuance into discussions of the Middle East

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel (2001-05) and Egypt (1997-2001), DANIEL KURTZER the co-author of Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace: American Leadership in the Middle East; co-author of The Peace Puzzle: America’s Quest for Arab-Israeli Peace, 1989-2011; and editor of Pathways to Peace: America and the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Ambassador Kurtzer is a respected author on the Middle East peace process. Balancing keen analysis with stunning interviews, Ambassador Kurtzer pulls back the curtain on many crucial diplomatic negotiations.

Ambassador Kurtzer provides a thoughtful, non-partisan account of the history and potential future of the Middle East. Israel Book Review called his work “A must-read for anyone who desires to truly understand this critical and complex quest for Middle East peace.”

Watch Daniel Kurtzer’s keynote at JBS here >>

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Books by Daniel Kurtzer
The Peace Puzzle: America's Quest for Arab-Israeli Peace, 1989-2011 (Published in Collaboration with the United States Institute of Peace)

The Peace Puzzle: America's Quest for Arab-Israeli Peace, 1989-2011 (Published in Collaboration with the United States Institute of Peace)

Pathways to Peace: America and the Arab-Israeli Conflict

Pathways to Peace: America and the Arab-Israeli Conflict

Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace: American Leadership in the Middle East

Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace: American Leadership in the Middle East

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Press & Media
What Needs to Happen When the Fighting Stops in Gaza - The Atlantic
From the Gulf War to Gaza: Israel Must Not Make America's Mistakes - Haaretz
How to prevent the third Intifada: Israeli and Palestinian leaders, helped by America and the Arab states, must find peace - The Daily News
Opinion | Cancel Netanyahu's Trial. And Save Israel From the Far Right - Haaretz
Former US ambassador accuses Israel of ‘creeping annexation’ of the West Bank - The Guardian
5 Ways Biden Can Thread the Needle With Israel’s New Coalition - Foreign Policy
Daniel Kurtzer Offers a Valuable Plan - The Daily Star
Kerry's Next Move in the Middle East - Los Angeles Times
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Biography

Having served as a senior American diplomat and peace negotiator, Daniel Kurtzer is a uniquely qualified speaker with a distinct perspective on the geopolitical realties and culture of the Middle East, one of the world's most troubled regions. During a 29-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service (including U.S. Ambassador to Israel and U.S. Ambassador to Egypt) he was instrumental in formulating and executing U.S. policy toward the Middle East peace process. After retiring from the State Department, he served as a member of Secretary of State John Kerry’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board, and as an advisor to the bipartisan Iraq Study Group. Since 2006, he has been a professor of Middle East policy studies at Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs.

He is the co-author of Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace: American Leadership in the Middle East; co-author of The Peace Puzzle: America’s Quest for Arab-Israeli Peace, 1989-2011; and editor of Pathways to Peace: America and the Arab-Israeli Conflict. He received his doctorate in political science from Columbia University.

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