About the
Palestinian/Israel Peace Declaration
Ami Isseroff
September 1998
Note-Each person who signs the declaration has the right to their own interpretation of different issues, as do different members of PEACE The opinions expressed here are my own. A.I.
What is PEACE? - PEACE is a dialog group begun by an Israeli and a Jordanian and open to friends of peace in the Middle East everywhere. We communicate by e-mail for the most part. PEACE is not affiliated with any other organization. Details about PEACE are given in This is PEACE.
Why was the declaration written? We prepared this declaration with these purposes in mind:
1. For members of PEACE and other dialog groups to be assured that they have a common basis of understanding - and a basic respect for each other's rights.
2. To tell our leaders that there is a lobby for peace in the Middle East among Jews, Palestinians and other people everywhere in the world, and that we want them to find ways to settle problems such as security and refugees, rather than using them as excuses for continuation of violence.
Some Israelis view the peace process as way to make Palestinians accept Israeli conquests in the West Bank and Gaza. Some Palestinians view peace as part of a staged plan to destroy Israel. Those people will never achieve peace of course.
If you believe, as we do, that the Mid-East peace process should bring peace, dignity and elementary rights to both sides, you ought to sign the declaration. We know it is imperfect, but an imperfect peace is better than a perfect war.
Who wrote the declaration? - The declaration is based on input from participants in the PEACE dialog forum, participants in a Palestinian/Israeli dialog held near Qalqilia, and similar documents prepared by Peace Now and Egyptian Peace and by the Basle Palestine/Israel dialog group.
Who is responsible for the declaration? - If you sign it, you are 'responsible.' PEACE does not pretend to speak in the name of its members.
Does a peace like this make us give up our rights as Israelis or Palestinians? Indeed. We will give up the right to hate and the right to suffer violence and a few other such "rights."
Nationalism is not progressive. Isn't a binational state or a democratic secular state better than a two state solution? A binational state or a democratic secular state give neither side what they want - a national home. If the Palestinians-and Israelis - who advocate these ideas are willing to give up on the claim that they are a nation, then it is legitimate to talk about such solutions. But it is suspicious when the same people who advocate self-determination for the Palestinians explain that nationalism is a reactionary idea - when the nationalism is someone else's. Perhaps these ideas will be practical in a few generations, but certainly not now.
Aren't we giving up our bargaining positions as Palestinians or Israelis? The Children of Abraham are such good bargainers that there is a danger that there will be no 'sale.' The views presented are so far apart and unacceptable to the other side, that 'peace process' has become a scare word to both Palestinians and Israeli Jews. In any event, we who sign the declaration are expressing our desires, not the starting positions of either side in the bargaining.
Why does the declaration mention refugees - if Israel has never admitted any responsibility for the refugee problem? As an Israeli, I realize that there will never be peace unless we are will to come to terms with the refugee problem. We must offer some solution, some way to restore the wronged dignity of everyone, and more important, we must dissolve the refugee camps and allow people to start a new life. We know that there are those who want to use the refugees as pawns in the battle against 'Zionism.' If we don't offer any solution to the problem, we are playing into their hands.
Why doesn't the declaration mention democracy in Israel & Palestine? This declaration discusses a settlement between two peoples, not the internal affairs of Israel or the Palestinian state-to-be. The status of Israeli Arabs leaves much to be desired. This problem is in part a result of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. It will be easier to fight for equal rights after there is peace. We can all also hope that the Palestinian state will respect the rigths of its citizens. That is also the best hope for peace, but that is for the Palestinians to decide.
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