Munk Debate: “Face Off on a Two-State Resolution”
Event: Munk Debate on the Two-State Solution
Date: December 3, 2025
Location: Meridian Hall, Toronto, Canada
Format: One of the most consequential mainstage debates in the 17-year history of the Munk Debates series
Debate Motion:
“Be it Resolved, it is in Israel’s national interest to support a two-state solution”
Debaters:
In Support of the Motion:
Ehud Olmert – Former Israeli Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and Jerusalem Mayor
Tzipi Livni – Former Israeli Justice and Foreign Minister
Against the Motion:
Michael Oren – Celebrated historian, former Israeli Ambassador to the United States, and former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office
Ayelet Shaked – Former Israeli Justice Minister and Minister of the Interior
Debate Summary:
The debate centers on a fundamental question facing Israel: whether supporting Palestinian statehood serves Israel’s national interests. The pro-resolution side argues that failing to support a two-state solution will result in Israel’s international isolation and internal moral collapse, while emphasizing that a Palestinian state is the only way to prevent a binational state and preserve Israel’s identity as a Jewish democratic state.
The opposition contends that the October 7 attacks and subsequent regional conflicts have fundamentally altered the calculation, with many Israelis now believing that Israeli national security cannot be reconciled with Palestinian statehood. Michael Oren’s team argues against the necessity of a two-state solution.
Debate Format:
Opening statements: 7 minutes per side
Rebuttal: 3 minutes per side
Final remarks: 4 minutes per side
Outcome:
Michael Oren and Ayelet Shaked won by a significant margin. The Munk Debates determine winners not by the absolute number of votes but by the number of audience members who changed their positions as a result of hearing the arguments. This outcome was described by Munk management as demonstrating “one of the most consequential main stage debates in the seventeen-year history of our series.”
Significance:
This debate addresses a critical geopolitical question with profound implications for Israel, Palestine, and regional stability in the Middle East. It brings together prominent Israeli political figures with contrasting perspectives on whether a two-state solution remains viable and desirable given current circumstances.
Two-State Solution Debate
On Wednesday, December 3rd we convened one of the most consequential mainstage debates in the 17- year history of our series.
Motion: Be it Resolved, it is in Israel’s national interest to support a two-state solution
How to Watch
On-demand streaming of this debate is available exclusively for Munk Donors, Curators, Supporters and purchasers of the livestream pass. Residents of Canada will receive a charitable tax receipt.
Purchase a Livestream Pass ($25 one time fee)
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Become a Curator ($29.99/month)
About the Debate
The Gaza war has ended, for the time being, in a shaky ceasefire. Now starts the hard work of finding a lasting solution to the conflict. Key to this effort is creating the basis for a new political relationship between the peoples of Israel and Palestine. For many, the most obvious and compelling solution is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Whether this happens depends to a significant extent on Israel and its domestic public opinion and politics. For many Israelis a two-state solution is the only viable path to a lasting peace, stability in the region and renewed legitimacy for the Jewish state internationally. Others assert the attack of October 7 and two years of regional war have made Israel’s national security, now and into the future, irreconcilable with Palestinian statehood. This timely debate goes to the heart of the issue: should Israel support the two-state solution? The fate and future of the region hangs in the balance.
The Debaters
Arguing in favour of the resolution was former Israeli prime minister, finance minister, and mayor of Jerusalem, Ehud Olmert. His debate partner was Tzipi Livni, who served as Israel’s justice and foreign minister and the country’s chief peace negotiator in 2008 and 2014. Arguing against the resolution was the celebrated historian, former Israeli ambassador to the United States and deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Michael Oren. His debate partner was Ayelet Shaked, who most recently served as Israel’s justice minister and minister of the interior.
Article from:munkdebates.com
