Daniel Lubetzky

An article in today’s Haaretz reveals a recent trend in the Israeli Army: Palestinian Leadership has been addressing Israeli soldiers and officers “to inform soldiers and officers of the nature of recent changes in the West Bank, and of the complexity of their mission when operating within the Palestinian populace.”  This unique cooperation between the Israeli army and Palestinian official is unprecedented and completely amazing! This story shows that even in the most unlikely of places, peace can flourish.

“Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, redacted by Adeena Schlussel”

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Dennis Ross, the Special Assistant to the President and friend of OneVoice, addressed AIPAC at their Florida Summit this week.  In his remarks, Mr. Ross spoke about the dangers of Iran and the effect that the Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act has had on Iran’s relationship with the world.  Mr. Ross concluded his speech by reiterating the need for peace, and the specific importance of moderates remaining engaged in a proactive peace process.

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Ruth Gavison just wrote one of the only sufficiently nuanced and appropriately balanced pieces I have read on the issue of the proposed pledge of allegiance for immigrants who want to become Israeli citizens.  Too many issues in this conflict are used as weapons from the left or the right to score points. 

In critiquing some of the elements of the approach at present but also dismissing blanket accusations against this law, she writes:

A nation is under no obligation to grant citizenship to anyone and it most certainly does not have to grant citizenship to an individual who is opposed to key elements in its creed. A nation is under no obligation to "volunteer" to accept those how object to its fundamental goals as residents or citizens, nor does it have to accept those who will become a financial, social or political burden.

People interested in the issue should carefully read her piece.

For those who think Gavison is a right wing militant trying to justify Lieberman’s rants, here is some context: I took a course from Gavison back in 1989 when I was studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and she had a reputation for being a bit of a radical leftist.  The truth, as always elusive on these issues, was that Gavison was a principled academic who, like with this article, called it like she saw it, even if she angered people on the “left” or on the “right.”  By no means perfect (as the issue itself is a difficult one), this piece is good food for thought.

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Check out Ezzeldeen Masri’s vision for Palestine in 2018.  I hope that his vision for peace and cooperation continue to spread beyond OneVoice and inspire widespread change that the nations need at this time.

Shlomo Ben-Ami wrote a very persuasive piece in The Guardian explaining that, precisely because the “moderate” leadership has no legitimacy because it was not elected and has hung on to power for too long, it forces them to be “unyielding” and to lack the power of compromise.  He writes:

“The assumption – dear to the architects of the current process – that peace can be achieved by driving a wedge between "moderates" and "extremists" is a fatal misconception. The paradox here is double. Not only does one negotiate with the illegitimate "moderates", but it is precisely because of their legitimacy deficit that the moderates are forced to be unyielding on core issues, lest the radicals label them treasonous.”

He adds:

The Palestinian negotiators’ dangerous lack of legitimacy – and, indeed, the disorientation of the entire Palestinian national movement – is reflected in the return of the PLO to its pre-Arafat days, when it was the tool of Arab regimes instead of an autonomous movement. The green light was given to the current negotiators by the Arab League, not by the elected representatives of the Palestinian people

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Adeena Schlussel on behalf of Daniel Lubetzky

Darya Shaikh and John Lyndon, OneVoice executives, published a poignant op-ed in the Huffington post.  Darya and John make the crucial point that peace talks on their own will not suffice in reaching a resolution for peace.  Without a newfound commitment to peace and a willingness to compromise, the talks will be empty and futile.  As OneVoice depicts in its “Imagine 2018” campaign, there are two very different possibilities for the future, and these talks may have the power to set the Mideast on the more favorable track.  It all depends on the commitment of the leaders.

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by Adeena Schlussel on behalf of Daniel Lubetzky

Check out this great PBS piece featuring PeaceWorks and Daniel’s efforts to end the Mideast conflict with OneVoice! Thank you Fred De Sam Lazaro for showing how entrepreneurship can enhance relations between Israelis and Palestinians (as well as in other conflict regions) while being lucrative as well.  With the persistence of others who share Daniel’s unyielding passion and belief that economic cooperation can lead to peace, we hope to see a decrease in Mideast tensions soon.

by Adeena Schlussel on behalf of Daniel Lubetzky

A recent article in the New York Times illustrates current alternative group therapies being deployed i Gaza meant to relieve heightened and continual stress in the region. Dr. James Gordon is leading the efforts via his Center for Mind-Body Medicine and claims that the program has already proven significant reductions in stress and depression that permeate the Gaza strip.  Hopefully these therapies will continue to lighten hardships in the region and decrease the difficulties of dealing with the ongoing conflict.

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by Adeena Schlussel on behalf of Daniel Lubetzky

The Geneva Initiative has launched a new campaign in partnership with USAID which broadcasts messages from Palestinian leadership for the Israeli public.  The short clips featuring different Palestinian leaders all vary but pivot around one shared message- that there is a Palestinian partner for a peace and the opportunity to reach an agreement should not be missed.  To date, figures in the campaign include Cheif Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erakat, Secretary-General of the PLO Executive Committee Yasser Abed Rabbo, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki, Memer of the Fatah Central Committee Jibril Rajoub, and Former Member of the Negotiating Team and PA Minister Sufyan Abu Zaidah.  Each message begins with “shalom” and ends with uniform, powerful promise: “I am your partner.  Are you mine?”  To watch the first three clips, click on the following image:

Bradley Burston wrote a column that is quite on-target regarding the problem with boycotts of Israel.  He highlights how the progressive Olympia Food Co-op decided not to support a boycott against Israeli goods as it realized it was riddled with anti-Semitic statements and propaganda.  Most of the international boycotts that claim to be against settlement goods, end up targeting ordinary Israeli products.  And most of the organizers behind these boycotts state their goal is to end their occupation (a goal I support), where in fact their goal is the eradication of the State of Israel.  While people tend to focus primarily on the obvious moral advantages of non-violent civic actions in lieu of violence against civilians, it is not enough to be non-violent for an action to warrant support.  The goal itself should also be clear and transparent.  A campaign that advocates an offensive goal does not cease to be offensive because its tactics are non-violent.  Beyond the tactics, it is important for activists to make sure they realize what is their goal, and, in the case of Israelis and Palestinians, whether that goal is truly going to yield peace, security, respect and prosperity.  If you analyze the realistic options, only the goal of two states for two peoples can accomplish that.

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