[Redcercana] Fwd: Palestinian reconciliation

[leonor taboada]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jeremy Ben-Ami, J Street <info en jstreet.org>
Date: 2011/4/29
Subject: Palestinian reconciliation
To: leonortaboada6 en gmail.com


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 Leonor --

News that a preliminary agreement on political reconciliation between Fatah
and Hamas has been reached poses one of the most important challenges in
years to those who hope to see a peaceful two-state resolution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

J Street’s reaction to events always starts from our guiding principle: an
unshakeable belief that Israel’s survival and security as the democratic
home of the Jewish people depends on achieving a two-state resolution to the
conflict with the Palestinian people – meaning the broadest possible
cross-section of Palestinian society. We are guided by our belief that
Israel’s long-term security depends on establishing two states with
internationally-recognized borders.

*Overcoming the split between Fatah and Hamas, and between the West Bank and
Gaza, has always been a precondition for final resolution of the
conflict.*In fact, many who oppose a two-state deal have, in recent
years, done so by
arguing that divisions among the Palestinians make peace impossible.
Obviously, reconciliation reduces that obstacle – but now skeptics of a
two-state agreement have immediately stepped forward to say that a deal is
impossible with a Palestinian unity government that includes Hamas.

We are well aware that there are those in Hamas who are not interested in a
two-state solution but who seek the long-term destruction of the state of
Israel as a Jewish national home. No one should have any illusions about the
dangers and risks ahead.

We also know, however, that the majority of the Palestinian people are
willing to accept a two-state deal and all the compromises it entails in
order to end the generations-old conflict. So we also believe that no one
should doubt that there are still very real opportunities available that
should be explored, particularly since the dangers and risks of the status
quo are so significant.

If indeed this reconciliation deal is implemented – and history does give
reason to question whether it will – there are many questions that the new
Palestinian leadership must answer in the coming weeks and months. Is the
Palestinian Liberation Organization – as the official representative of the
Palestinian people – still committed to a two-state solution? Is it willing
to reaffirm its renunciation of the use of violence and terror against
Israeli civilians? Will existing security understandings be honored? Will
rocket fire from Gaza be stopped?

These questions become all the more important in light of the possibility of
United Nations recognition in September of an independent Palestinian
state.  *Yesterday’s news does not change the calculus for both the United
States and Israel that the best way to avert a vote in September is for
there to be a credible and realistic diplomatic initiative underway that
offers a realistic path toward peace and security.*

The only way to answer the questions raised by these new developments is
through engagement and talks. We urge the United States, Israel and the
international community to respond to this new development with caution and
questions, but not with hostility. Encouraging movement in the right
direction through engagement is more likely to lead to a long-term peaceful
resolution than responding, for instance, by automatically cutting off aid
to the Palestinian Authority.

There are respected Israelis with impeccable security credentials – such as
former Mossad Director Ephraim Halevy – who have argued over the past year
that diplomatic engagement even with Israel’s sworn enemies is necessary if
there is to be a long-term resolution to the conflict. We believe that, with
eyes wide open to the risks, it is imperative not to shut the door to talks
with a newly configured Palestinian leadership – perhaps initially through
third parties.

Perhaps one place to start is with the negotiations for the release of Gilad
Shalit. Reconciliation on the Palestinian side could provide new hope and
opportunity for his release. The Israeli government has pursued negotiations
for Corporal Shalit’s release indirectly through intermediaries. It should
now be willing to explore such a deal with a unity government led by
President Abbas. If the newly-unified political leadership of the
Palestinian people wishes to signal to Israel that it is serious about
achieving a peaceful two-state resolution, nothing would have a greater
impact on Israeli and international opinion than his release in the coming
weeks.

*I leave tomorrow with a delegation of J Street leaders for an 8-day visit
to the region.* We are scheduled to meet with top Israeli and Palestinian
officials including President Peres and President Abbas, Prime Minister
Fayyad, Deputy Prime Minister Meridor and others across the ideological
spectrum.

We will press our message of the need to explore opportunities with eyes
wide open to the risks. And we will urge the Palestinian leadership to
ensure that any new government affirm that it will maintain a policy of zero
tolerance for violence, will abide by prior agreements and will pursue a
two-state resolution to the conflict that recognizes the state of Israel.

- Jeremy

Jeremy Ben-Ami
President, J Street
April 29, 2011
----------

*J Street is the political home of the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement.*

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