JERUSALEM, May 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

A controversial regional forum here is set to debate in public whether Israelis are damaging their own country with the continued occupation of Palestinian territories.

The event, to be recorded at the Mishkenot Sha'ananim Auditorium - the Konrad Adenauer Conference Center Yemin Moshe - at 7 pm on Thursday, May 14, 2015, will discuss the motion: 'The occupation is destroying Israel'.

British television journalist Tim Sebastian, former presenter of the BBC's Hardtalk programme, will moderate the session.

Like other debates he has chaired in the Middle East, this one will focus on a single challenging motion - with two speakers - one in support and one in opposition of the motion.  Once they have outlined their main arguments, each speaker is questioned by Sebastian before the discussion is opened up to the audience, which will decide the winner by a vote.

The event comes just a week after Binyamin Netanyahu announced the formation of a new government that is widely expected to authorize further settlement building in the West Bank, despite long-term opposition by European governments and the United States.

Commenting on the upcoming session, Sebastian says that with the new cabinet in place this is a good opportunity to hear different Israeli opinions on the 48-year occupation.

"Some have warned that it risks corroding Israeli democracy - others believe it is essential to maintaining secure borders. To what extent do Israelis feel that the occupation is damaging their international reputation?  Just some of the questions that I expect to be aired in Thursday's debate."

Speaking for the motion is Uri Zaki, a member of the Meretz party and former Director of B'Tselem USA.  Arguing against the motion is Dani Dayan, chief foreign envoy and former Chairman of the Yesha Council.

The debate is part of a regional series called The New Arab Debates (NAD), supported by the Norwegian Foreign Ministry and broadcast by Germany's international TV channel DW, along with its global network of partners.

The last debate was held in Istanbul in March 2015. 

Twitter hash tag is #newarabdebates

For further information, please contact Rana Sabbagh (rana@arij.net) Tel:  +972(0)544425954

SOURCE The New Arab Debates (NAD)