The Israel Policy Forum (IPF) is a New York, NY based American Jewish organization that works for a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. The organization lobbies American policymakers in support of this goal and writes opinion pieces that have appeared in many Jewish and non-Jewish newspapers.[1] It was founded in 1993.[2]
In September 2008, the organization named Peter Joseph (then the Forum's chairman) to succeed Seymour Reich as president. Larry Zicklin took over from Joseph as chairman.[3]
The IPF has been criticized for being pro-Palestinian; Isi Leibler called them "Jews against Zion".[4] Members of the IPF responded that working with the Palestinians is in Israel's best interest and that Mr. Leibler's attack was "offensive and deplorable".[5]
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Israel Policy Forum’s (IPF) stated mission is to champion involved and continuous American diplomacy efforts, which it believes are imperative for reaching an overarching settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.[6]
Israel Policy Forum believes that a two-state solution to the conflict will bring increased security, prosperity and stability not only to Israel, but to its Arab neighbors and the region. IPF believes that a two-state solution is key to gathering the worldwide support necessary to increase international security and effectively fight terror. IPF believes that America must remain an active and consistent partner in the peace process both to reach this goal and strengthen the United States’ role in the region. IPF is committed to encouraging and supporting the United States in this effort.[7]
IPF’s team of advocates and leaders—which includes members of Jewish, philanthropic, academic and political organizations—imparts policy messages to American and international leaders. IPF also regularly holds conference calls and educational training in major U.S. cities.[11]
IPF trains advocates to promote a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through educational programs. IPF holds an annual Leadership Event to support key figures who promote peacemaking efforts. Previous speakers at the Leadership Event include President Bill Clinton,[12] Vice President Al Gore,[13] Senator Joseph Biden,[14] Prime Minister Ehud Barak,[15] then-Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert[16] and Vice Prime Minister Haim Ramon.[17]
IPF works to enhance communication and diplomatic efforts between Israeli, Arab and American leaders. IPF arranges bi-annual delegations to the Middle East in which American leaders meet with heads-of-state, diplomats, scholars and analysts throughout the region. IPF also conducts media outreach by contributing background information and op-eds[18] to major U.S. and Israeli publications.[19]
Leaders of the Israel Policy Forum disagreed in early 2009 over the appointment of Charles Freeman to a senior US intelligence post. IPF Washington Director M.J. Rosenberg strongly supported Freeman on the grounds that Freeman's harsh criticisms of Israeli policy would make him an ideal candidate to prepare US intelligence estimates. However, the Jerusalem Post reported that the previous President of the IPF, Seymour D. Reich:
decided to step down from the forum's policy-making [Executive] committee over differences on issues including the Freeman affair...Reich said that while Freeman maintained he would have put aside his personal opinions to hold a job devoted to analyzing the information gathered by US intelligence agencies, the appointee was "clearly biased against Israel," as his blaming the "Israel Lobby" demonstrated. 'I don't see how he could have given any objective intelligence assessment on the Middle East with that baggage hanging out so openly,' Reich told The Jerusalem Post." [20]
In March 2009 the IPF removed Reich's name from its online list of members of its Executive Committee, although it did not issue any formal announcement of the change.
| IPF Officers and Executive Committee | |
|---|---|
| Peter A. Joseph, President | Lawrence Zicklin, Chair |
| Marvin Lender | Geoffrey H.Lewis |
| Harriet Mouchly-Weiss | Henry Ostberg |
| Unfilled (formerly Seymour D. Reich, who resigned March 2009 in dispute over Charles Freeman) | James E. Walker III |
| Honorary Chairs | |
|---|---|
| Jack Bendheim | Robert K. Lifton |
| Michael Sonnenfeldt | Judith Stern Peck |
| Thedore R. Mann | |
| National Board | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Adler | Karen Adler | David Avital | Lawrence Bender | Mark Biderman | Ed Blank | Joan Bronk | Stanley M. Chesley | Matthew Fassler | Harvey Fields |
| Ernest Ginsberg | Stanley P. Gold | H.P. Goldfield | Sally Gottesman | Harold Handler | Steven C. Koppel | Murray Koppelam | Allen Kronstadt | Tom Kully | Jaqueline Levine |
| Yaffa Maritz | Mark Medavoy | Norman J. Pattiz | Debra Pell | Marcia Riklis | Sy Reich | Henry Rosovsky | Jodi J. Schwartz | Ian Slome | Terri Smooke |
| Susan K. Stern | S. Donald Sussman | Steven Warnecke | Alan L. Wurtzel | Michael D. Young | Aaron Ziegelman | Eric Geller | Brian Zimmet | ||
Professionals
| National Scholars | |
|---|---|
| Steven L. Spiegel, LA | Stephen P. Cohen |
| Israel Advisory Council | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambassador Moshe Arad | Gen. (Ret.) Shlomo Gazit | David Kimche | Dov Lautman |
| Jacob Perry | Gen. (Ret.) Israela Oron | Gen. (Ret.) Danny Rothschild | Talya Sasson |
| Ambassador Shimon Shamir | Itschak Shrem | Gen. (Ret.) Iftach Spector | Nadine Baudot-Trajtenberg |
| Yoram Yahav | |||
| American Advisory Council | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambassador Samuel Lewis | Marshall Breger | Rachel Bronson | Frederic C. Hof |
| Aaron David Miller | Michael Nacht | Ambassador Robert H. Pelletreau, Jr. | Ambassador Edward S. Walker, Jr. |