Over the course of the last decade, the complex relationship between Israel and the Gaza Strip has grown increasingly volatile. In his talk, Professor Levey will review Israel's history in Gaza, the rise of Hamas, the missile barrage, the disengagement, the 2008-2009 clash, Gilad Shalit, the Mavi Marmara, and the present re-orientation of Israeli policy.

Zach Levey is the Schusterman Visiting Israeli Professor in the Program for Jewish Studies, the Department of Political Science, and International Affairs at CU Boulder. He completed his studies at the Hebrew University, was visiting assistant professor at the University of Michigan, and since 1997 has been faculty at the University of Haifa. His principal areas of research and teaching are the Cold War, US-Israeli relations, the foreign policy of Israel, and the Arab-Israeli Conflict.

Following the talk, the audience is invited to a wine and cheese reception and art show, and a screening of the 2009 Oscar-nominated Israeli film, “Ajami.” (Price for lecture and film is $15.)