Registration is open for an international conference, titled “Fifty Years of the Special US-Israel Relationship (1962-2012): Walt-Mearsheimer in Perspective,” scheduled for January 16 to 18, 2011 in Miami. Scholars for Peace in the Middle East (SPME) and the Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies at the University of Miami will host the event at the Conrad Miami Hotel, 1395 Brickell Avenue. Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Samuel Lewis, and Canadian Member of Parliament and past Justice Minister, the Honorable Irwin Cotler have been announced as headliners.

The focus will be on examining the special relationship between the U.S. and Israel over the last 50 years, exploring directions and possibilities for the future of that relationship, and analyzing the impact of Walt and Mearsheimer in inspiring attacks on the U.S.-Israel special relationship.

The conference will also address issues facing faculty on college campuses today such as the delegitimization of Israel, boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS), anti-Israelism and anti-Semitism as it has manifested in recent years, what SPME is doing about it, and how to get involved.

Scholars and experts of all disciplines are invited. Registration fees for SPME 2010 network donors of $75 or more will be $250. Registration fees for non-SPME donors will be $350 for the full conference. The daily registration fee is $175. Student daily fee is $75. Registration fees will cover continental breakfast, conference luncheon, and evening receptions. Accommodations will be at the conference rate of $169 per night. Kosher meals available only upon prior request.

To register for the conference, click here or visit http://spme.net/conference-registration.

For more Information, e-mail Sam Edelman, SPME’s executive director and a professor at California State University, at [email protected].