Assessing Israel’s Strategic Options:
What Sherlock Holmes Would Say
Lecture by Dr. Martin Sherman
Monday, February 22, 2010 • 7:00 p.m.
Luxe Hotel Sunset
11461 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles
“…when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains,
however improbably, must be the truth.”
- Sherlock Holmes in the Sign of Four
This citation from one of the better known episodes in the exploits of the mythological sleuth from 221B Baker Street comprises the analytical point of departure for the lecture.
After a detailed examination of Israel’s geo-strategic parameters, its geo-political environment and the indispensible imperatives that arise from these parameters, the analysis proceeds to an assessment of the policy proposals on the table today for the resolution of the Middle East conflict. It will show how the current policy endeavors based on Israeli territorial concessions and the “land-for-peace/two-state” paradigm” are impossible to reconcile with the long-term survival of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people.
A comprehensive “out of the box” alternative of addressing the major challenges facing Israel is set out accompanied by an appraisal of the conditions required for its implementation and an evaluation of its feasibility and estimation of economic costs it would entail.
Dr. Martin Sherman acted as a ministerial advisor in the 1991-2 Shamir government. He also served for seven years in various defense related capacities and now teaches political science at Tel Aviv University. His works have been published in academic journals such as Journal of Strategic Studies, Journal of Theoretical Politics, International Journal of Intelligence and Counter Intelligence and Nations and Nationalism. He is the author of two books on international conflicts.
Dr. Sherman is also a member of the advisory board of the Nativ journal in which he is published frequently.
The information conveyed by Dr. Sherman in this lecture is important for all pro-Israel advocates and advocacy organizations, and will extremely useful in rebutting and countering “Jstreet type” positions.