BRUNO KREISKY AND THE MIDDLE EAST: BUILDING DIPLOMACY AND RECONSTRUCTING PEACE

Zum 115. Geburtstag von Bruno Kreisky/ Honoring the 115th Birthday of Bruno Kreisky
Der Mut zum Unvollendeten/ The Courage to Embrace the Unfinished

Corinna Milborn in conversation with Mohammad Anwar Esmat Sadat, Mkhaimar Abusada, Wolfgang Petritsch and Tobias Lang

BRUNO KREISKY AND THE MIDDLE EASTBUILDING DIPLOMACY AND RECONSTRUCTING PEACE

Peace and security in the Middle East, that was Bruno Kreisky’s conviction in the light of the challenges of the 1960s and 1970s, could not be reached without a Two-State-Solution, the negotiation between and coexistence of the State of Israel and Palestine. After decades of efforts to build relations, many chances and opportunities for such a solution have been missed or sabotaged on various sides.  We take the opportunity to look into the past as well as into the future!

In a first part, we look at Kreisky’s relations with Egypt, a crucialplayer when it comes to the Middle East’s peace and security arrangements. Due to Kreisky’s close relationship and friendship with Mohammad Anwar SADAT (1918-1981), he supported him on his path to the Camp David Agreement. Here, we explore “Sadat’s Austrian road to Jerusalem” and what strategic interests Austria and Egypt do also share today in the Middle East. In a second part, the panel will look into Gaza and the Middle East after October 7. Despite a “Trump Deal Peace Plan”, perspectives for peace seem unclear. The challenges for overcoming trauma and re-building trust, a two-state solution and reconstruction are enormous. What role could Austria play in this multilevel re-construction process?

Opening:
Andreas Babler, Head of the Social Democratic Party of Austria

Panelists:
Mohammad Anwar Esmat Sadat: Leader of the Reform and Development Party in Egypt and a founding member of the Arab Council for Regional Integration, nephew of former Egyptian President M. Anwar Sadat

Mkhaimar Abusada, Associate Professor for Political Science, Al-Azhar University Gaza, expert on Palestinian political development, Palestinian Youth, peace-education

Wolfgang Petritsch, Ambassador, former political advisor to Bruno Kreisky, President of the Austrian Institute for International Politics, President of the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation; board member of the Bruno Kreisky Forum.

Tobias Lang, Director of the Austrian Centre for Peace, expert on Bruno Kreisky’s relations to the Middle East

Moderator:
Corinna Milborn, journalist and author, Head of News at ProSieben, Sat1, PULS 4. Hosts political TV debates