Prime Minister Ehud Barak
- Prime Minister of Israel 1999-2001
- Most Decorated Soldier in Israel's History
Prime Minister Barak's political, educational and military backgrounds give him a unique perspective for assessing the key challenges of world terror, international diplomacy, globalization and the free world in the 21st century.
Speach Topics
- Blueprint for Global Relations: Prime Minister Barak presents a macro analysis of how national politics, international events, terror, and the economy all influence national and international relations.
- Economic Development in Today's World: A true renaissance man, Prime Minister Barak presided over an unprecedented economic boom in Israel and is able to speak with command about the economic development issues facing nations today.
Bio Synopsis
A Will to Lead
During his tenure, Israel's 10th Prime Minister Ehud Barak lead the country out of prolonged recession and into an economic boom, with 5.9% annual growth, record foreign investments, near zero inflation, a halved deficit and significantly decreased external debt.
Prime Minister for Peace
The core of Prime Minister Ehud Barak's efforts were devoted to the peace process. In May 2000, Barak ordered the withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces from South Lebanon, ending 18 tragic and bloody years of Israel's presence there. He led far-reaching efforts to negotiate peace agreements, first with Syria and later with the Palestinian authority, with the active participation of President Bill Clinton and his administration. Regrettably, these negotiations did not result in the breakthroughs necessary to conclude final agreements.
Respected Military General
Before being elected Prime Minister, Ehud Barak completed an illustrious 36-year career in the Israeli Defense Forces as the most decorated soldier in Israeli history. For many years, he led Israel's elite anti-terrorist unit, on one occasion successfully storming a hijacked airliner in Tel Aviv, and on another -- disguised as a woman -- leading a raid against the organization that murdered Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Mr. Barak additionally served his country as Minister of the Interior, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense Minister.