Israeli Ambassador spoke on UofL鈥檚 Belknap Campus Nov. 16 as part of the McConnell Center鈥檚 Distinguished Speaker Series.
Dermer was interviewed by in a Q&A-format discussion. Topics included Israeli-U.S. relations, democracy in the world, the Israel election process and Dermer鈥檚 early life in Florida as part of a family dedicated to public service.
Much of the discussion centered on the Middle East and Israeli鈥檚 role in the region. Dermer said he believes that, ultimately, 鈥渄emocracy and freedom will penetrate the free world.鈥
While acknowledging that 鈥渢hese things don鈥檛 always go in a straight line鈥 and the process could take decades, Dermer is optimistic that democracy will prevail in the Middle East and that Israel鈥檚 influence will play a major role.
鈥淚srael is a beacon of freedom in the Middle East,鈥 Dermer said.
Dermer also addressed the importance and future of U.S.-Israel relations saying that the two countries have 鈥渟hared interests, shared values and a shared sense of destiny.鈥
Jennings asked Dermer about the Israeli economy and the country鈥檚 unique ability to innovate.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no question that the genius of our people is the free market,鈥 Dermer said. 鈥淚srael is poised to seize the future.鈥
He explained that Israelis have a history of challenging the status quo and seeking new and better solutions. This approach has led to many innovations, particularly in technology.
Dermer is the second Israeli Ambassador to speak as a McConnell Center guest. Itamar Rabinovick spoke in 1994.
Before his appointment as U.S. ambassador to Israel, Dermer鈥檚 previous roles included Israel鈥檚 minister of economic affairs and a senior adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
