POSITIVE RSVP ONLINE ONLY:
http://belfercenter.hks.harvard.edu/events/steinitz.html
The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs will host a Director's Seminar with Dr. Yuval Steinitz, Israeli Minister of Intelligence, in the Belfer Center Library (L369).
Dr. Yuval Steinitz was appointed Minister of Intelligence in March of 2013. In his current capacity, Minister Steinitz oversees the intelligence community, including the Mossad (Israel's equivalent of the CIA), Shin-Bet (Israel's equivalent of the FBI), and the Israeli Atomic Energy Committee. Minister Steinitz also takes a leading role on behalf of the Israeli government in the international campaign against the Iranian nuclear program. In addition, he is in charge of the economic aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
Prior to his current position, Minister Steinitz was the Finance Minister from 2009-2013. He constructed the stimulus package of 2009 and also launched the biennial budget framework (2009-2010 & 2011-2012). Minister Steinitz later designed and implemented major reforms in the energy, technology and housing sectors. In addition, Minister Steinitz led Israel's historic accession to the OECD in 2010.
Before joining the government, Minister Steinitz was a pivotal member in the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, serving as Chair from 2003-2006. In this role Minister Steinitz expanded the committee's mandate and scope, and initiated several influential parliamentary reports focusing on intelligence-related issues. In this capacity, Minister Steinitz co-established, along with Senator Jon Kyl, the Joint Dialogue on Defense between the U.S. Congress and the Knesset. Minister Steinitz has been a Knesset Member since July 1999.
Prior to entering politics, Minister Steinitz was a professor of philosophy at Haifa University, where he specialized in metaphysics and philosophy of science. He was also chosen as Distinguished Lecturer two years in a row. He holds a B.A and M.A (with honors) from the Hebrew University, and a Ph.D from Tel Aviv University. In 1993 he won the Alon Scholarship, the most prestigious award for young doctoral students in Israel.
Minister Steinitz has published four books on philosophy, which have received great public acclaim in Israel. His work, Invitation to Philosophy, is the most popular philosophy book in Israel's history, with forty editions printed to date.
During the 1980s, Minister Steinitz was an active member of the left-wing “Peace Now” movement. His political positions moved rightward in 1994, following his criticism of the Oslo Accords.
Minister Steinitz served in the IDF infantry corps, first in the Golani Brigade, where he took part in Operation Litani on Israel's northern border (1978), and then in the Alexandroni Reserve Brigade during the 1982 Lebanon War.
As space is limited for this event, RSVPs will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Belfer Center Seminars are strictly off-the-record. By requesting to attend the seminar, you agree that you will comply with the Belfer Center's strict policy against recording or disclosing the contents of the seminar. Your access is conditioned on your compliance with these restrictions. Should you violate these rules, the Center will pursue all available legal options and you will be excluded from all future events.
