Daniel Lubetzky

From the Wall Street Journal – November  26, 2007, Page A21

Herewith some thoughts about tomorrow’s Annapolis peace  conference, and the larger problem of how to approach the Israel-Palestine  conflict. The first question (one might think it is obvious but apparently  not) is, "What is the conflict about?" There are basically two  possibilities: that it is about the size of Israel, or about its  existence.

If the issue is about the size of Israel, then we have a  straightforward border problem, like Alsace-Lorraine or Texas. That is to  say, not easy, but possible to solve in the long run, and to live with in  the meantime.
If, on the other hand, the issue is the existence of  Israel, then clearly it is insoluble by negotiation. There is no  compromise position between existing and not existing, and no conceivable  government of Israel is going to negotiate on whether that country should  or should not exist.

PLO and other Palestinian spokesmen have, from time to  time, given formal indications of recognition of Israel in their  diplomatic discourse in foreign languages. But that’s not the message  delivered at home in Arabic, in everything from primary school textbooks  to political speeches and religious sermons. Here the terms used in Arabic  denote, not the end of hostilities, but an armistice or truce, until such  time that the war against Israel can be resumed with better prospects for  success. Without genuine acceptance of Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish  State, as the more than 20 members of the Arab League exist as Arab  States, or the much larger number of members of the Organization of the  Islamic Conference exist as Islamic states, peace cannot be negotiated.

A good example of how this problem affects negotiation is  the much-discussed refugee question. During the fighting in 1947-1948,  about three-fourths of a million Arabs fled or were driven (both are true  in different places) from Israel and found refuge in the neighboring Arab  countries. In the same period and after, a slightly greater number of Jews  fled or were driven from Arab countries, first from the Arab-controlled  part of mandatory Palestine (where not a single Jew was permitted to  remain), then from the Arab countries where they and their ancestors had  lived for centuries, or in some places for millennia. Most Jewish refugees  found their way to Israel.

What happened was thus, in effect, an exchange of  populations not unlike that which took place in the Indian subcontinent in  the previous year, when British India was split into India and Pakistan.  Millions of refugees fled or were driven both ways — Hindus and others  from Pakistan to India, Muslims from India to Pakistan. Another example  was Eastern Europe at the end of World War II, when the Soviets annexed a  large piece of eastern Poland and compensated the Poles with a slice of  eastern Germany. This too led to a massive refugee movement — Poles fled  or were driven from the Soviet Union into Poland, Germans fled or were  driven from Poland into Germany.

The Poles and the Germans, the Hindus and the Muslims, the  Jewish refugees from Arab lands, all were resettled in their new homes and  accorded the normal rights of citizenship. More remarkably, this was done  without international aid. The one exception was the Palestinian Arabs in  neighboring Arab countries.

The government of Jordan granted Palestinian Arabs a form  of citizenship, but kept them in refugee camps. In the other Arab  countries, they were and remained stateless aliens without rights or  opportunities, maintained by U.N. funding. Paradoxically, if a Palestinian  fled to Britain or America, he was eligible for naturalization after five  years, and his locally-born children were citizens by birth. If he went to  Syria, Lebanon or Iraq, he and his descendants remained stateless, now  entering the fourth or fifth generation.

The reason for this has been stated by various Arab  spokesmen. It is the need to preserve the Palestinians as a separate  entity until the time when they will return and reclaim the whole of  Palestine; that is to say, all of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and  Israel. The demand for the "return" of the refugees, in other words, means  the destruction of Israel. This is highly unlikely to be approved by any  Israeli government.

There are signs of change in some Arab circles, of a  willingness to accept Israel and even to see the possibility of a positive  Israeli contribution to the public life of the region. But such opinions  are only furtively expressed. Sometimes, those who dare to express them  are jailed or worse. These opinions have as yet little or no impact on the  leadership.

Which brings us back to the Annapolis summit. If the issue  is not the size of Israel, but its existence, negotiations are foredoomed.  And in light of the past record, it is clear that is and will remain the  issue, until the Arab leadership either achieves or renounces its purpose  — to destroy Israel. Both seem equally unlikely for the time being.

Mr. Lewis, professor emeritus at Princeton, is the  author, most recently, of "From Babel to Dragomans: Interpreting the  Middle East" (Oxford University Press, 2004).

URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119604260214503526.html

[Emphasis added to highlight OV Mandate similarities and/or incisive important language]

Thank you for coming. Prime Minister Olmert, President Abbas, Secretary-General Ban, former Prime Minister Blair, distinguished guests, welcome to one of the finest institutions we have in America, the United States Naval Academy. We appreciate you joining us in what I believe is an historic opportunity to encourage the expansion of freedom and peace in the Holy Land.

We meet to lay the foundation for the establishment of a new nation, a democratic Palestinian state that will live side by side with Israel in peace and security.

We meet to help bring an end to violence that has been the true enemy to the aspirations of both the Israelis and Palestinians.

[He Reads Joint Statement - contained in this link]

Congratulations for your strong leadership. Appreciate you.

The Palestinian people are blessed with many gifts and talents. They want the opportunity to use those gifts to better their own lives and build a future for their children.

They want the dignity that comes with sovereignty and independence. They want justice and equality under the rule of law. They want freedom from violence and fear.

The people of Israel have just aspirations as well. They want their children to be able to ride a bus or to go to school without fear of suicide bombers. They want an end to rocket attacks and constant threats of assault. They want their nation to be recognized and welcomed in the region where they live.

Today Palestinians and Israelis each understand that helping the other to realize their aspirations is key to realizing their own aspirations. Both require an independent, democratic, viable Palestinian state. Such a state will provide Palestinians with a chance to lead lives of freedom and purpose and dignity. Such a state will help provide the Israelis with something they have been seeking for generations — to live in peace with their neighbors.

Achieving this goal is not going to be easy. If it were easy, it would have happened a long time ago. To achieve freedom and peace, both Israelis and Palestinians will have to make tough choices. Both sides are sober about the work ahead. But having spent time with their leaders, they are ready to take on the tough issues.

As Prime Minister Olmert recently put it, we will avoid none of the historic questions. We will not run from discussing any of them. As President Abbas has said, I believe that there is an opportunity not only for us, but for the Israelis, too. We have an historic and important opportunity that we must benefit from. It is in that spirit that we concluded — that they concluded this statement I just read.

Our purpose here in Annapolis is not to conclude an agreement. Rather, it’s to launch negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians. For the rest of us, our job is to encourage the parties in this effort and to give them the support they need to succeed.

In light of recent developments, some have suggested that now is not the right time to pursue peace. I disagree. I believe now is precisely the right time to begin these negotiations, for a number of reasons.

First, the time is right because Palestinians and Israelis have leaders who are determined to achieve peace. President Abbas seeks to fulfill his people’s aspirations for statehood, dignity and security. President Abbas understands that a Palestinian state will not be born of terror and that terrorism is the enemy standing in the way of a state. He and Prime Minister Fayyad have both declared without hesitation that they are opposed to terrorism and committed to peace. They are committed to turning these declarations into actions on the ground to combat terror.

The emergence of responsible Palestinian leaders has given Israeli leaders the confidence they need to reach out to the Palestinians in true partnership. Prime Minister Olmert has expressed his understanding of the suffering and indignities felt by the Palestinian people. He has made clear that the security of Israel will be enhanced by the establishment of a responsible, democratic Palestinian state. With leaders of courage and conviction on both sides, now is the time to come together and seek the peace that both sides desire.

Second, the time is right because the battle is under way for the future of the Middle East, and we must not cede victory to the extremists. With their violent actions and contempt for human life, the extremists are seeking to impose a dark vision on the Palestinian people, a vision that feeds on hopelessness and despair to sow chaos in the Holy Land. If this vision prevails, the future of the region will be endless terror, endless war and endless suffering.

Standing against this dark vision are President Abbas and his government. They are offering the Palestinian people an alternative vision for the future, a vision of peace, a homeland of their own and a better life. If responsible Palestinian leaders can deliver on this vision, they will deal the forces of extremism a devastating blow. And when liberty takes root in the rocky soil of the West Bank and Gaza, it will inspire millions across the Middle East who want their societies built on freedom and peace and hope.

In contrast, if Palestinian reformers cannot deliver on this hopeful vision, then the forces of extremism and terror will be strengthened.

A generation of Palestinians could be lost to the extremists, and the Middle East will grow in despair. We cannot allow this to happen. Now is the time to show Palestinians that their dream of a free and independent state can be achieved at the table of peace and that the terror and violence preached by Palestinian extremists is the greatest obstacle to a Palestinian state.

Third, the time is right because the world understands the urgency of supporting these negotiations. We appreciate that representatives from so many governments and international institutions have come to join us here in Annapolis, especially the Arab world. We are here because we recognize what is at stake. We are here because we each have a vital role to play in helping Palestinians forge the institutions of a free society. We’re here because we understand that the success of these efforts to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians will have an impact far beyond the Holy Land. These are the reasons we’ve gathered here in Annapolis, and now we begin the difficult work of freedom and peace.

The United States is proud to host this meeting and reaffirm the path to peace set out in the road map. But in the end, the outcome of the negotiations they launch here depends on the Israelis and Palestinians themselves. America will do everything in our power to support their quest for peace, but we cannot achieve it for them. The success of these efforts will require that all parties show patience and flexibility and meet their responsibilities.

For these negotiations to succeed, the Palestinians must do their part. They must show the world they understand that while the borders of a Palestinian state are important, the nature of a Palestinian state is just as important. They must demonstrate that a Palestinian state will create opportunity for all its citizens and govern justly and dismantle the infrastructure of terror. They must show that a Palestinian state will accept its responsibility and have the capability to be a source of stability and peace for its own citizens, for the people of Israel and for the whole region.

The Israelis must do their part. They must show the world that they are ready to begin — bring an end to the occupation that began in 1967 through a negotiated settlement. This settlement will establish Palestine as a Palestinian homeland, just as Israel is a homeland for the Jewish people. Israel must demonstrate its support for the creation of a prosperous and successful Palestinian state by removing unauthorized outposts, ending settlement expansion and finding other ways for the Palestinian Authority to exercise its responsibilities without compromising Israel’s security.

Arab states also have a vital role to play. Relaunching the Arab League initiative and the Arab League support for today’s conference are positive steps. All Arab states should show their strong support for the government of President Abbas and provide needed assistance to the Palestinian Authority.

Arab states should also reach out to Israel, work toward the normalization of relations, and demonstrate in both word and deed that they believe that Israel and its people have a permanent home in the Middle East. These are vital steps toward the comprehensive peace that we all seek.

Finally, the international community has important responsibilities. Prime Minister Fayyad is finalizing a plan to increase openness and transparency and accountability throughout Palestinian society, and he needs the resources and support from the international community. With strong backing from those gathered here, the Palestinian government can build the free institutions that will support a free Palestinian state.

The United States will help Palestinian leaders build these free institutions, and the United States will keep its commitment to the security of Israel as the Jewish state and homeland for the Jewish people.

The United States strongly feels that these efforts will yield the peace that we want, and that is why we will continue to support the Lebanese people. We believe democracy brings peace, and democracy in Lebanon is vital as well for the peace in the Middle East.

The Lebanese people are in the process of electing a president. That decision is for the Lebanese people to make, and they must be able to do so free from outside interference and intimidation. As they embark on this process, the people of Lebanon can know that the American people stand with them, and we look forward to the day when the people of Lebanon can enjoy the blessings of liberty without fear of violence or coercion.

The task begun here at Annapolis will be difficult. This is the beginning of the process, not the end of it, and no doubt a lot of work remains to be done. Yet the parties can approach this work with confidence. The time is right, the cause is just, and with hard efforts, I know they can succeed.

President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert, I pledge to devote my effort during my time as president to do all I can to help you achieve this ambitious goal. I give you my personal commitment to support your work with the resources and resolve of the American government.

I believe the day is coming when freedom will yield the peace we desire, and the land that is holy to so many will see the light of peace. The day is coming when Palestinians will enjoy the blessings that freedom brings and all Israelis will enjoy the security they deserve. That day is coming. The day is coming when the terrorists and extremists who threaten the Israeli and Palestinian people will be marginalized and eventually defeated.

And when that day comes, future generations will look to the work we began here in Annapolis. They will give thanks to the leaders who gathered on the banks of the Chesapeake, for their vision, their wisdom and courage to choose a future of freedom and peace.

Thanks for coming. May God bless their work.

It is instructive to take a look at the groups opposing the efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict through negotiations among Israelis and Palestinians….

These primarily include:

Ayatollah in Iran: Says Annapolis "Doomed To Failure"

Hamas in Gaza: Sponsors Anti-Annapolis Meeting and Slams Arab Countries for Participating, Condemns Abbas and Arab Leaders

Right-Wing Jews in Israel Who Urge the Construction of More Settlements in the West Bank and who organized a special prayer at the Western Wall for "the failure of Annapolis"

An Unholy alliance?

As for the last 6 years OneVoice citizens, scholars, dignitaries and civic and religious leaders have engaged in the broadest process for conflict resolution among citizens, several lessons have become apparent that are instructive:

· Politicians need to say what needs to be said, to acknowledge both sides, to not just say what their constituents want to hear but what their constituents need to hear;

· The era of “constructive ambiguity” should be banished and replaced by a concrete and explicit outline of the deep interests and needs of each side and movement to forge a clear historic compromise; the more explicit the better because otherwise each side will sell its version of the agreement and fissures will come out;

· It is imperative for the leaders to find a way, if not in Annapolis then soon thereafter, where they SPEAK AS ONEVOICE, when the Palestinian and Israeli leadership can speak about BOTH SIDES’ needs and perspectives, to acknowledge the reality of a neighbor on the other side, to educate and prepare the public for a deal;

· Focused, sustained and ongoing effort is necessary to deepen the understanding and to establish trust; Professional Dedicated Full Time Negotiation Teams that put the National Interest above personality or vanity or partisan politics are imperative to make progress;

· A Third Party Mediator is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY or else the parties will hang on to positions and endless Mideast bargaining; it is important to keep bringing back the parties to understand their INTERESTS and not just stick to fixed POSITIONS;

· These things take a lot of time; sometimes negotiations will get stuck on one word or one phrase, for hours or days; a systematic process needs to be followed to keep making progress and not circulate around and revisit issues aimlessly;

· Confidence Building Measures and tangible progress on the ground are important to keep the momentum going and to ensure the support from the people, as they see benefits to the peace process.

• Tony Blair’s efforts to create jobs for the Palestinian people are vital
• President Abbas’s commitment to dismantle underground militias AND to establish the rule of law are vital
• Prime Minister Olmert’s commitment to dismantle unauthorized settlements AND to freeze further settlement construction are vital;

How is OneVoice Connected To The Negotiations Process? It was BORN to rekindle it.

· OneVoice was founded in the aftermath of the breakdown of the Camp David negotiations to amplify the voice of the overwhelming majority of Palestinian and Israeli citizens who cherish an end to the conflict and recognize the only way to achieve it is through a two state solution

· OneVoice began last year a campaign to urge the Israeli and Palestinian Heads of State to immediately commence ongoing negotiations, uninterrupted until the conclusion of a comprehensive peace agreement, within a year of commencing the process

o That means that we urge the leaders to complete an agreement no later than Nov 27 2008

· Over 620,000 global citizens, including roughly 300,000 Israelis and 300,000 Palestinians, have thus far joined the movement as signatories to the OneVoice Mandate and/or the OneVoice Principles;

· When we began the campaign, many thought it was too risky and irresponsible to demand negotiations when no prospects for peace where in the horizon, let alone uninterrupted negotiations till the conclusion of an agreement, and let alone a comprehensive agreement

· OneVoice has had an opportunity to influence their leaders and share its message directly with them, including when it succeeded in getting President Abbas, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, and President Peres together in Davos to hear the message from the people; President Abbas and Foreign Minister Livni, both during the Davos session and thereafter, acknowledged the impact and inspiration from seeing hundreds of their young speak to them with passion about their support for their leadership to end the conflict.

· A delegation of OneVoice activists, youth leaders, and executive directors from Gaza, Ramallah, Tel Aviv, New York and London will be available in Annapolis, Jerusalem, and New York City to represent and speak on behalf of the 620,000+ citizens that have signed on to the OneVoice Mandate demanding immediate negotiations, uninterrupted till the conclusion of a two state agreement, no later than a year from now. www.OneMillionVoices.org

• Hamas and Iran have vocally opposed Annapolis and deemed it a failure before it even started
• It is true that Hamas’s control of Gaza is a significant barrier to a two state solution
• A lot is at stake for Abbas; if no progress is made in Annapolis, he will be weakened; if no progress is made over the coming year, he may fall;
• But if Abbas and Olmert make progress over this year and begin implementing confidence building measures, they will weaken the grip of Hamas; if Abbas and Olmert achieve an agreement that meets the support of the people, they will be able to start implementing it in the West Bank, and such progress with create enormous pressure on Hamas to either accept the will of the Palestinian people or face being dislodged through elections or through force;
• The most recent show of force of citizens disenchanted with Hamas rule – with anywhere between 250,000 and half a million citizens – about a third of the entire population of Gaza – showing on the streets to march against Hamas’s abuse demonstrates that Hamas is losing its grip;
• Iran is obviously displeased with Annapolis and will try to undermine it with all its might; it is imperative for the leaders to not give Iran a veto power by freezing negotiations if any attacks are made.

• The goal is to ensure that Annapolis is not treated as a one-time photo opportunity but as what the people demand: a systematic, ongoing, uninterrupted process, with professional negotiation teams committed exclusively to the completion of a comprehensive agreement between the Israeli and Palestinian Heads of State for a  two state solution that will bring about a viable Palestinian State within the context of a permanent peace agreement with Israel.

Annapolis Predictions:

• The only thing one can predict in the Middle East is the unpredictability of events;
• many are trying to lower expectations about Annapolis, and it is said that the leaders were unable to draft a joint statement to read at the end, but a positive statement from President Bush could set the process on the right course, and what is imperative is that the leaders COMMIT TO AN ONGOING PROCESS AND TO TRY TO CRAFT AN AGREEMENT WITHIN A YEAR

· This is the first time in over 15 years where the vast majority of Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, are participating in a regional effort to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; not since the Madrid peace process launched by President Bush Sr. have all these countries gathered together to address the issue; over 40 countries are being represented in Annapolis.

· This is the first time in 7 years that the Israeli and Palestinian Heads of State (or more specifically the Israeli Administration and the PLO Executive Committee) are hopefully re-launching formal steady and systematic negotiations

· The Israeli and Palestinian Heads of State are not alone this time:

     o Their people elected each of them with a broad mandate on a clear campaign platform for conflict resolution

     o Leaders of the region and the world are now by their side urging they take advantage of the Arab Peace Initiative and the Roadmap and make progress at once

     o Over 620,000 citizens have joined the OneVoice Mandate supporting the process, the largest number in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and representative of the overwhelming majorities (59% to 84% according to different polls over the last two years) who support negotiations to establish a two state solution

· Rare Window of Opportunity: the window is closing – while majorities on both sides still overwhelmingly support negotiations towards a two state solution, the numbers opposing are going up steadily, and will eventually surpass moderate voices if no tangible progress is made; we have two leaders and two peoples and the Arab region and the US government now recommitting themselves; the opportunity must be seized.  Failure is not an option.

[Ahmad Salameh used to be a student representative of Hamas while at Al Najar University.  During a jail term, he lost his fiance and he started becoming increasingly disenchanted with false promises of glory, eventually turning a new leaf, switching to Bir Zeit University, and joining OneVoice. He was a great activist at OV, until he opted to move to Dubai in search of job opportunities.  In between he was also a very creative entrepreneur, and created a business where messages of love and peace would be graffitied into the separation wall - for a $20 fee per message, which you could request via internet.  We recently corresponded and he permitted me to share his message.]

From: Ahmad Salameh
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2007 11:51 AM
To: Danieel
Subject: Dear

Dear Danieel:
how are you? how is everything wiith you???
i hope that you still remeber me as i do!
i’m in Dubai since last october! iam working in real state ! as a broker in [____] development!!!
if you wana too invest just mail me:-)
in all cases realy iam shocked from the first day that i arrived Dubai!!! most of people dont know anything about the conflict between Palestinian and Israelies!!!
i visted many universities and talk about the conflict and peace horizon!!
iam do care about what will happen after anabolies!! i hope they will success in the conference!
really iam thinking to go back to palestine to support all peace forces!! i think we are in a critical time that will design our future!!
nice to send to you my dear
Ahmad Salameh

One of my replies:

From: daniel
To: salameh.ahmad@
Subject: RE: Dear
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2007 12:18:43 -0500

Ahmad, it is so nice to hear from you.  I have never been to Dubai but hear it is amazing.  One day I will visit. I hope you do go back to Palestine because we need your leadership and creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to get Palestine to grow.  I send you a big hug and please stay in touch.  Warmest, Daniel

One of his replies:

Thanks alot for your trust my frined but you know in palestine it is very hard to find a job! i spent many years as a voulnteer fpr peace and iam so happy to do that! BUT now after finishing the school i have to work to help my family and my self! you know life expences is too much!
I do care about the situation in palestine i think everybody has to support Mr.Abbas at this time! and we have to say END the war and give us the right to live in peace!
every time i add comments to internet articles spically Hamas websites and i say " please give your eyes the right to see the truthm please give your hearts the right to love, please giveyour souls the right to accept each others, please give OUR childrens the right to live in a peacfull futur!"
most times they ignore my comments but iam sure that every body responsible to tell the truth and to motivate all extreems to think twice before pushing all of us to the hill!!
Ahmad Salameh

This was a statement sent by the President’s "Office of Public Liaison"

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

___________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release                     November 25, 2007

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

I am pleased to welcome Prime Minister Olmert, President Abbas, and representatives of more than forty countries to the United States for the November 27 Annapolis Conference. The broad attendance at this conference by regional states and other key international participants demonstrates the international resolve to seize this important opportunity to advance freedom and peace in the Middle East.

This conference will signal international support for the Israelis’ and Palestinians’ intention to commence negotiations on the establishment of a Palestinian state and the realization of peace between these two peoples.

It will also provide an opportunity for the Israelis, the Palestinians, and their neighbors to recommit to implementing the Roadmap, with the U.S. monitoring their progress by the parties’ agreement. Finally, the conference will review Palestinian plans to build the institutions of a democratic state and their preparations for next month’s donors’ conference in Paris.

I remain personally committed to implementing my vision of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.

The Israelis and Palestinians have waited a long time for this vision to be realized, and I call upon all those gathering in Annapolis this week to redouble their efforts to turn dreams of peace into reality. I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas this week, as well as to addressing the conference along with them on Tuesday.