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Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs

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Revision as of 18:28, 12 June 2017 by Blaffy78 (talk | contribs) (→Programs and Initiatives: Added section on their views of Jerusalem)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) Not to be confused with Jewish Council for Public Affairs.
Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
Founded1976
FounderDaniel J. Elazar
TypePublic Policy Think Tank
Location
Method"A multidisciplinary, independent non-profit think tank for Israel policy research and education, bringing together the best minds in the political, strategic, diplomatic and legal arenas, in Israel and abroad."
Key peopleDore Gold (President, 2000 - 2015 & 2016 - present)
Websitewww.jcpa.org
JCPA building in Katamon

The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA) is a leading independent research institute specializing in public diplomacy and foreign policy. Founded in 1976, the Center has produced hundreds of studies and initiatives by leading experts on a wide range of strategic topics. Currently, the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs's research portfolio consists of five primary initiatives: the Institute for Contemporary Affairs (ICA), Defensible Borders Initiative, Jerusalem in International Diplomacy, Iran and the New Threats to the West, and Combating Delegitimization. More broadly, the think-tank concentrates on the topics of Iran, Radical Islam, the Middle East, Israel, the Peace Process, Jerusalem, Anti-Semitism, and World Jewry.


The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs also publishes the academic journal, Jewish Political Studies Review. The journal is published biannually and is "the first and only journal dedicated to the study of Jewish political institutions and behavior, Jewish political thought, and Jewish public affairs." The research institute is a registered non-profit organization and produces content in English, Hebrew, French, and German.

History

The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs was established in 1978 by Daniel Elazar as an umbrella organization encompassing the Center for Jewish Community Studies and the Jerusalem Institute for Federal Studies. Elazar personally raised most of the funds for the operation of the organization and the restoration of an historic building on Tel Hai Street in Jerusalem, named in honor of the Milken family. The building, Beit Milken, served as the Embassy of Uruguay from 1957 to 1980, when Uruguay decided to move their embassy to Tel Aviv. In 1989, the 1,200 ton building was moved 16 meters on rails to reach the site it currently occupies.

Dr. Dore Gold, Israel’s former ambassador to the UN and former foreign policy adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, headed the Jerusalem Center from 2000 to 2015, when he took a leave of absence to become director-general of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dore Gold has returned as president of the Jerusalem Center.

Policy positions

JCPA is a pro-Israel organisation, promoting a positive image of Israel, advocating Israel's right to exist and fighting anti-Semitism. It advocates the Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem and its lasting control of the West Bank and Golan Heights. It opposes a unilateral Palestinian drive toward statehood.

Institutes and Publications

The Jerusalem Center founded the Institute for Contemporary Affairs (ICA) jointly with the Wechsler Family Foundation. The current director of the ICA is Ambassador Alan Baker. Through this outlet, the JCPA publishes Jerusalem Issue Briefs and Jerusalem Viewpoints. They also publish the twice-yearly Strategic Perspectives, special reports presenting studies on Israeli security and diplomacy topics by the Contributing Editors board of the ICA. The JCPA is also the publisher of the Jewish Political Studies Review, an academic journal which publishes articles on Jewish public affairs, Jewish institutions and behavior, and Jewish political thought. It is published twice yearly.

In 2008, JCPA founded the Institute for Global Jewish Affairs in response to growing international anti-Semitism. Directed by Manfred Gerstenfeld, the institute addresses a variety of topics related to Jewish communities around the world. The institute helps direct the "Post-Holocaust and Anti-Semitism Project" and its associated monthly publication "Post-Holocaust and Anti-Semitism," both of which attend to global anti-Semitism. More can be learned about these below in the Programs and Initiatives section. The JCPA also produces a related publication entitled "Changing Jewish Communities," which is less focused on global anti-Semitism and, therefore, addresses a wide variety of issues related to global Jewish communities. Additionally, the JCPA has organized a publication called "Jewish Environmental Studies," which looks deeply at Jewish environmental studies as a separate and important field and analyzes Jewish environmental thought through references from the Bible and classic Jewish texts.

JCPA also produces the "Daily Alert" for the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, a daily news summary and analysis concerning Israel's security and diplomacy that is distributed through email. It is estimated that this email briefing reaches over 100,000 people, and has inspired a counter-publication, the Middle East Bulletin, produced by the Center for American Progress (CAP), to counter right-wing pro-Israel bias in the Daily Alert.

In addition to their written publications, the JCPA produces numerous videos that analyze a variety of issues pertaining to Israel and the Middle East. These include videos created by the center as well as videos of JCPA contributors appearing in various news outlets or conference venues. The videos can be found on the JCPA website or on the JCPA’s YouTube page.

Recent Publications

The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs has recently published multiple studies relating to Israeli security, international diplomacy, and the status of Jerusalem. As part of the organization's emphasis on making their material public and accessible, all of their major survey studies are digitalized and published on their website.

In the wake of the so-called 'Knife Intifada', the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs published a collection edited by in-house scholar Fiamma Nirenstein. The collaborative project features articles by, among others, former Ambassadors Dore Gold, Alan Baker, and Freddy Eytan, as well as Brigadier General Yossi Kuperwasser and Dan Diker. The overarching theme of the publication focused on the similarity, rather than the misconceived differences, between terrorism in Israel and Europe. Moreover, several articles presented a valuable sociological exploration of Israeli society and its penchant for preparedness, vigilance, and resilience.

Another seminal work published in 2016 by in-house scholar Dan Diker was an in-depth exploration of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction (BDS) movement. Entitled BDS Unmasked: Radical Roots, Extremist Ends, Diker traces the roots of the BDS movement arguing that it represents only the most recent incarnation of a historical attempt to boycott Israel. The publication also references foundational members of BDS (e.g. Omar Barghouti) in demonstrating the movement's support for the one-state solution and dismantling of the Israeli state. The book also demonstrates a powerful relationship between BDS activities and anti-Semitic incidents on university campuses.

Jerusalem also features largely in the think-tank's work. The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs scholar, Nadav Shragai, published a historical and legal evaluation of Jerusalem and the city's role in final status peace negotiations entitled . Informed, in part, by recent polling data from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Shragai argues that a majority of Jerusalem's Arabs favour preserving their Israeli citizenship rather than substituting it for a Palestinian one. More importantly for Shagrai, Jerusalem's Arab community is increasingly being incorporated into the Jewish municipal fabric and represents a valuable dimension to future negotiations over the status of Jerusalem.

Conferences

On March 24, 2014, the Jerusalem Center held a conference entitled "Europe and Israel: A New Paradigm." The conference focused on the complicated relationship between Israel and Europe, including topics such as economics and the BDS movement, security and anti-Semitism. The conference was well attended and received a significant amount of press, including articles in The Times of Israel, The Jerusalem Post, J-Wire, Ynetnews, and CBN News.

Programs and Initiatives

Defensible Borders Initiative

One of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs major research initiatives, Defensible Borders for Israel, seeks to "analyzes current terror threats and Israel's corresponding territorial requirements, particularly in the strategically vital West Bank." The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs maintains that Israel must continue to exercise this right to preserve Israel's security requirements.

The program's inception dates back to a joint conference with the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in 2004. Accordingly, the think-tank deepened its ties with organizations including the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and the Herzliya Conference based on presentations concerning "defensible borders". According to the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, the organization played a pivotal role in publicizing the term "defensible borders" and its ascension within the lexicon of contemporary Middle Eastern security issues.

The Jerusalem Center for Public Affair's most recent publication emanating from this initiative was published in 2014 entitled, Israel's Critical Requirements for Defensible Borders: The Foundation for a Secure Peace. The monograph is the latest version of an earlier study, Israel's Critical Security Requirements for Defensible Borders: The Foundations for a Viable Peace. Most of the updated material was added in late 2013 and early 2014. The publication included sections written by Moshe Yaalon, Dore Gold, Uzi Dayan, Yossi Kuperwasser, and Dan Diker. The content ranged from Israel's long-term security needs and defensible borders, to the shortcomings of United Nations Resolution 242 and key principles for a demilitarized Palestinian state.

Combating Delegitimization and BDS

A core component of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs concerns efforts by the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement to delegitimize the fundamental rights of Israel. According to the organization's website, the initiative "is a major multilingual public diplomacy program" which seeks to expose those who undermine Israel's very legitimacy. This programme entails reinforcing the connection between "the Jewish people and their historical homeland including Jerusalem." Many of the institute's scholars, including Dan Diker and Ambassador Alan Baker, have published extensively on subjects pertaining to this initiative. This includes Dan Diker's BDS Unmasked: Radical Roots, Extremist Ends as well as Ambassador Baker's Palestinian Manipulation of the International Community.

Jerusalem in International Diplomacy

Jerusalem's centrality to final status negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) has ensured that it is a subject which garners disproportionate scrutiny. The intermingling of religious, political, and legal dimensions has encouraged the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs to publish extensively on the subject. Spearheaded by Nadav Shragai, the initiative has led to such publications as ,Jerusalem: Delusions of Division (2015), Jerusalem: Correcting the International Discourse (2012), and The 'Al-Aksa Is in Danger Libel: The History of a Lie (2012). As outlined in the organization's policy video, the interlocking Arab and Jewish neighbourhoods of Jerusalem make division unfeasible. Mindful of Jerusalem's history during the Jordanian occupation when religious freedoms were curtailed, the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs believes that the city must remain undivided and under Israeli sovereignty.

Iran and the New Threats to the West

This program focuses on security threats posed by Iran to Israel and the West. The program began with a publication entitled “Referral of Iranian President Ahmadinejad on the Charge of Incitement to Commit Genocide,” authored by Dore Gold and Elie Wiesel, among others. The publication was created in response to multiple threats directed toward Israel by the Iranian leader, including a 2006 declaration that “Israel should be wiped off the map.” The JCPA continues to monitor security threats posed by Iran in the post-Ahmadinejad era with this program.

Post-Holocaust and Anti-Semitism Project

This program addresses contemporary anti-Semitism on a global scale. It also addresses post-Holocaust subjects, particularly the manipulation of Holocaust history. The idea for the project was conceived of following a 2001 UN Anti-Racism conference that revealed a global resurgence of anti-Semitism. It includes a publication entitled Post-Holocaust and Anti-Semitism. Manfred Gerstenfeld heads the project.

Global Law Forum

This program covers issues pertaining to Israel and international law. The goal of the program is to “protect Israel’s legal rights in its conflict with the Palestinians, the Arab world, and radical Islam.” Topics include the legality of settlements, human rights, and Israeli border issues, among others. Avi Bell directs the program. Additional contributors include Robert Sabel, Ruth Lapidoth, Irit Kohn, Alan Baker, Meir Rosenne, and Justus Weiner.

International Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Anti-Semitism

In May 2015 the center sponsored an event promoting an initiative to make anti-Semitism an international crime through a convention to be signed by participating states. Of the 160 foreign diplomats invited, none chose to attend. The organizers seemed surprised. The Times of Israel reported: "So far, not a single state has indicated that it is considering signing the convention, including Israel."

Contributors

Team of Experts

See also

References

  1. ^ "Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs: About Daniel J. Elazar". Jcpa.org. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  2. "Contact Us". JCPA. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  3. ^ "About the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs". JCPA. 2010. Archived from the original on 8 October 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. "About the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs," Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, http://jcpa.org/about/
  5. "Books," Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, http://jcpa.org/book/#
  6. "Jewish Political Studies Review," Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, http://jcpa.org/jpsr-back-issues/jpsr-about/
  7. "Support Us," Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, http://jcpa.org/support-us/
  8. "The Intellectual World of Daniel Elazar". Jcpa.org. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  9. "Uruguay Embassy Leaves Jerusalem". The Age. 1980-08-18. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  10. "Our Building: A Protected Jerusalem Landmark". Jcpa.org. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  11. "About the Jerusalem Center". jcpa.org. Retrieved 2013-04-14.
  12. Keinon, Herb (May 25, 2015). "Dore Gold picked as new Foreign Ministry director-general". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  13. Defensible Borders for a Lasting Peace. Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, 2008
  14. JCPA on YouTube: Dividing Jerusalem Puts Holy Sites in Danger; Israel's Right to Build in Jerusalem; Israel's Critical Security Needs for a Viable Peace
  15. Jerusalem Center Brochure 2010-2011.
  16. "Israelization of Washington Policy: the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs". CambridgeForecast.org. 2004-08-01. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
  17. "About Alan Baker". AmbassadorAlanBaker.com. Archived from the original on 2013-11-12. Retrieved 2013-09-12. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. "Institute of Contemporary Affairs". JCPA.org. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
  19. "JCPA Strategic Perspectives". Isn.ethz.ch. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  20. "Introduction". Jewish Political Studies Review. 23: 2. Spring 2011.
  21. "Watch "Institute for Global Jewish Affairs" Video". OVGuide.
  22. ^ "UNMASKED JUDEOPHOBIA - The Threat to Civilization".
  23. "Publication name Changing Jewish Communities - Berman Jewish Policy Archive @ Stanford University".
  24. "Jewish Environmental Studies: a New Field".
  25. "E-Publications". ConferenceofPresidents.org. Archived from the original on 2013-08-24. Retrieved 2013-09-15. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. "Soros and Hillary:Partners on Israel?". AmericanThinker.com. 2007-05-10. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  27. "Liberal Mideast Newsletter to Launch". The Jewish Daily Forward, Forward.com. 2007-05-04. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  28. "TheJerusalemCenter" – via YouTube.
  29. TheJerusalemCenter – via YouTube.
  30. "Books," Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, http://jcpa.org/book/
  31. Fiamma Nirenstein, ed., "Lessons from Israel's Response to Terrorism," 2017, http://jcpa.org/lessons-israels-response-terrorism/
  32. Dan Diker, BDS Unmasked: Radical Roots, Extremist Ends (Jerusalem: Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, 2016), 6-8, http://jcpa.org/pdf/Unmasking_.pdf
  33. Ibid., 81.
  34. Nadav Shragai, Jerusalem: Delusions of Division (Jerusalem: Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, 2015)
  35. Ibid., Preface.
  36. Ibid., Introduction.
  37. "EU ready to pay Palestinians who renounce right of return". The Times of Israel.
  38. "EU aid package meant to assure Israel that 'Palestine' won't become a failed state". The Jerusalem Post - JPost.com.
  39. http://www.jwire.com.au/news/lovehate-relationship/41528
  40. "EU-Israel ties growing, despite disagreements". ynet.
  41. "Israeli, EU Trade in Tact Despite BDS".
  42. "Defensible Borders for Israel," Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, http://jcpa.org/program/defensible-borders-for-israel/
  43. "Defensible Borders for Israel," Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, http://jcpa.org/program/defensible-borders-for-israel
  44. "Combating Delegitimization and BDS," Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, http://jcpa.org/program/combating-delegitimization-and-bds/
  45. Ibid.,.
  46. "Jerusalem in International Diplomacy," Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, http://jcpa.org/program/jerusalem/
  47. "Nadav Shragai," Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, http://jcpa.org/researcher/nadav-shragai/
  48. "Jerusalem in International Diplomacy," Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, http://jcpa.org/program/jerusalem/
  49. "About the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs". Jerusalem Center For Public Affairs.
  50. ISN Editors. "Referral of Iranian President Ahmadinejad on the Charge of Incitement to Commit Genocide". {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  51. http://www.brandeiscenter.com/images/uploads/articleuploads/iran_infocus1.pdf
  52. Israel’s Rights as a Nation-State in International Diplomacy, p. 237, at Google Books
  53. Think tank fumes at foreign diplomats for skipping anti-Semitism event the Times of Israel, 12 May 2015
  54. "Authors". Jerusalem Center For Public Affairs. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

External links

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