Checklist for solution to Middle East conflict

[glo]

Another article on the Middle East conflict (I am getting to like posting in the World Affairs forum! :D)
Christian Aid is a charity which has worked in the Middle East since the 1950s. It takes no sides in the conflict, and supports Israeli and Palestinian organisations alike.

A new report by Christian Aid sets out for the first time a ‘must do’ checklist for a viable solution to the Middle East conflict without which all attempts to secure peace, human rights and an end to spiralling poverty will be doomed to failure.

The international community has repeatedly voiced a commitment to a viable Palestinian state, but what that actually means has never been properly defined. To redress this, the Christian Aid checklist shows what must happen to bring about a viable solution that will end the occupation and lead to justice for both the Israelis and Palestinians.

The report, Israel and Palestine: a Question of Viability, defines viability as the necessary conditions that allow sustainability and growth to flourish. The 11-point checklist includes: control over natural resources, such as land and water; freedom of movement; and control over the collection and use of financial resources.
[...]
The current surge in factional violence in Gaza highlights the need to take steps without delay if further human misery is to be avoided in the region and before the rapidly changing facts on the ground become permanent and rule out any lasting solution.

‘As many of our Palestinian and Israeli partners have pointed out, facts on the ground are being created that undermine the whole notion of a viable Palestinian state,’ says William Bell, Christian Aid’s Advocacy Officer for the Middle East. ‘Their message is urgent: time is running out as land continues to be confiscated, illegal Israeli settlements expand and construction of the 703km separation barrier Israel is building throughout the West Bank continues.’

Christian Aid also calls on the international community to stop subsidising the 40-year occupation of the Palestinian territories through aid and instead take steps to resolve the conflict. Aid is a lifeline but is not the answer.
[...]
Responsibility ultimately lies with the Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate a solution. But Christian Aid urges the international community to take immediate action to bring the two sides to the negotiating table in order to help broker a viable solution.

Full article here
Full report here

Peace

[Keltoi]

The checklist makes some good points, but the final point about the international community bringing the two sides together has been tried numerous times only to end in failure. Unless both sides are interested in peace there will be a photo of a handshake and then the rockets will start being fired all over again. Perhaps I shouldn't be so cynical, but history has shown the futility of a "peace process" in the Middle East. Man...that was negative..:)

[wilberhum]

The checklist makes some good points, but the final point about the international community bringing the two sides together has been tried numerous times only to end in failure. Unless both sides are interested in peace there will be a photo of a handshake and then the rockets will start being fired all over again. Perhaps I shouldn't be so cynical, but history has shown the futility of a "peace process" in the Middle East. Man...that was negative..:)

There are far too many, on both sides, that only want peace after victory.
Until Peace is the first priority, it will never happen.

[MTAFFI]

The checklist makes some good points, but the final point about the international community bringing the two sides together has been tried numerous times only to end in failure. Unless both sides are interested in peace there will be a photo of a handshake and then the rockets will start being fired all over again. Perhaps I shouldn't be so cynical, but history has shown the futility of a "peace process" in the Middle East. Man...that was negative..:)

you are such a pessimist....lol, j/k
It is true though, you probably couldnt count the number of peace treaties that have been attempted in that region on your fingers and toes that have failed. I know this is really going to tick a lot of people off, but I dont feel as though Israel is to blame for the failures of peace treaties, or at least the majority of them. Everytime a peace treaty is reached the rockets start again and Israel responds.

Wilberhum said it best here, victory seems to be the first priority and peace is a far second. Until peace is the first it will never be reached, I fear that it will take a very severe measure to get either side to wave a white flag in this situation and unfortunately for the Palestinians, Israel is more than capable of delivering that blow.

Lets hope that someday soon these people realize there is no fight to be won here, and that peace is the only victory either will ever achieve.

Great article though, maybe someone out there will read it and take note of it. Why is it that people on an internet forum can look at this situation and see it for what it is, but the two nations involved cant see past the tip of their noses?

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[AHMED_GUREY]

Thanks for the article sister glo