Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates "The U.N. Should Admit Palestine As A Full Member State" at NYU's Skirball Center On January 10

New York, NY – Dec. 13, 2011 – On January 10th, New York's premier live debate series, Intelligence Squared U.S. (IQ2US), returns for the first debate of its spring 2012 season with the divisive proposition: "The U.N. Should Admit Palestine As A Full Member State." After 20 years of failed talks with Israel, can the recent plea by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the U.N. really serve as an effective way to create a two state solution? Or is Palestine setting the peace process back by bypassing negotiations? 

In support of the motion are Mustafa Barghouthi, Former Palestinian National Authority Presidential Candidate, and Daniel Levy, Former Israeli Government Negotiator & J Street Co-Founder. Against the motion are Aaron David Miller, Former U.S. Mideast Negotiator, and advisor of Republican and Democratic Secretaries of State, and Dore Gold, former Israel Ambassador to the United Nations.

Moderated by ABC News Nightline’s John Donvan, Intelligence Squared U.S.'s spring season will be presented in partnership with Slate with live webcasts on Fora.tv. Debates will air more than 220 NPR stations nationwide and be televised in the New York area on PBS Channel Thirteen, WNET, WLIW, and NJTV.

WHAT: Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates "The U.N. Should Admit Palestine As A Full Member State"
WHEN: Tuesday, January 10 / Reception 5:45-6:30 / Debate 6:45-8:30 PM
WHERE: NYU’s Skirball Center / 566 Laguardia Place, New York, NY 10012
Tickets: $40 ($12 for students w/ID) To purchase, visit www.iq2us.org. 

The debate will take place in front of a live audience at NYU Skirball Center in New York City. Audience members will vote to decide the winning team of this significant debate. 

ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED DEBATES (IQ2US)
Rethink your point of view with Intelligence Squared U.S. (IQ2US), Oxford-style debates. 

Based on the highly successful debate program based in London, Intelligence Squared, Intelligence Squared U.S. has presented over 50 debates on a wide range of provocative and timely topics. From global warming and the financial crisis, to Afghanistan/Pakistan and the death of mainstream media, Intelligence Squared U.S. brings together the world’s leading authorities on the day’s most important issues.

Since its inception in 2006, the goals of The Intelligence Squared U.S. Foundation have been to provide a new forum for intelligent discussion, grounded in facts and informed by reasoned analysis; to transcend the toxically emotional and the reflexively ideological; and to encourage recognition that the opposing side has intellectually respectable views.

IQ2US struck a media partnership with the online magazine Slate that launches in this fall. The Rosenkranz Foundation initiated the Intelligence Squared U.S. Debate Series and continues to provide major support.
 
Press Contacts: 
Andy Silva 
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asilva@shorefire.com

Matt Hanks
718.522.7171
mhanks@shorefire.com 

Mark Satlof
718.522.7171
msatlof@shorefire.com