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

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.

Past Hosts Include:

Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Dallas
JNF of Hamilton, Ontario
Beth Tzedec Synagogue
Michigan State University Hillel
New Israel Fund

United Jewish Federation Of Northeastern New York
JUF Chicago
Sutton Place Synagogue
American Jewish Committee

“

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. - Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Dallas

”

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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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 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 his personal, professional, and global takeaways on negotiation, diplomacy, and peace.