OneVoice Blog, Empowering Israeli and Palestinian Citizens toward a Two State Solution

OV Brings Grassroots Support for Two States to DC

As the United States assertively reengages in Mideast peace efforts, and in the wake of President Obama’s historic address from Cairo, OneVoice is bringing Nader Said, Mina Zemach, and Colin Irwin - the public opinion experts who conducted OneVoice’s poll finding continued grassroots support for a two state solution - to Washington DC for a series of public speaking engagements on Capitol Hill and within the policy-making community from Sunday 14 June – Tuesday 16 June.

We are holding the following events:

SUNDAY 14 JUNE

• 7pm: Peace Café at Busboys & Poets

MONDAY 15 JUNE

• 10.30am: Closed-Door Senate Briefing (this event is not open to public)
• 1.00pm: United for a Two State Solution: Brown Bag & Briefing at the House of Representatives
• 3.00pm: Two State Majority: Event at Woodrow Wilson Center

TUESDAY 16 JUNE

• 12.30pm: Where are the Israeli & Palestinian Publics on Peace? Event at the New America Foundation

This is a crucial time for the OneVoice Movement. It is imperative that we work to connect the support on the ground for a two state solution which allows both peoples to live in peace, security, freedom, independence, and dignity with the political will at the top level to broker the process.

Obama's Historic Speech In Cairo

President Obama’s speech in Ciaro reinforced many of OneVoice’s values and our goal of a two state solution. As Obama stressed the importance of a two state solution, he vowed to pursue this goal with patience and persistence. OneVoice is thrilled with the philosophy and drive behind Obama’s speech and we feel that this historical moment brings with it much hope for the future.

Obama did recognize the difficult history of the conflict and the struggle that exists today for both Israelis and Palestinians. However, Obama expressed our need to move forward with the peace process because “whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners of it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; progress must be shared.”

In order to move forward, Obama stressed the need to stop blaming the other side, and instead to see the conflict from all sides. “It is easy to point fingers” he said, “but if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: the only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security."

Obama also spoke of the need to speak openly about the conflict. These words resonate with OneVoice’s initiative to ‘say what needs to be said.’ Obama stated, “I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly the things we hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground.”

With Obama’s words as a beacon of hope, OneVoice continues to push forward with our goals for 2009 through Educational Programs, Town Hall Meetings and Leadership Training Seminars in both Israel and Palestine as well as around the world.

OneVoice in the Washington Post

On Obama's speech in Cairo yesterday, the recent OneVoice poll, and saying what needs to be said in order to achieve a two state solution.

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2009/06/one_voice_for_a_two-state_solution.html

IEP brings OV Youth Leaders to Southern California

Rami Rabayah of Jenin and Rotem Yossef of Tel Aviv served on our tour to Southern California. We were hosted by a diverse set of student groups at Occidental College, Santa Monica College, San Diego State University, UC San Diego, and UC Irvine. The OneVoice chapter at Occidental was launched by students following our regional tour to Los Angeles last year, and it has grown into a very active student organization on campus! We were pleased to be hosted by the Olive Tree Initiative at UCI, an exceptional campus initiative that was initially inspired by a OneVoice presentation at UCI three years ago. Rami and Rotem held an extensive interview on the Defining Moment talk show.

Press Release: Paul McCartney Calls On President Obama To Support The OneVoice Movement

May 16 2009 / London / Paul McCartney has recently written to President Barack Obama making him aware of an organisation called OneVoice – an organisation that Paul first came into contact with during his memorable trip to Israel and Palestine last year.

 

The OneVoice Movement currently has over 650,000 signatories (equally represented by Palestinians and Israelis) and they work steadfastly towards a two state solution to the Israel/Palestine conflict, endeavoring to ensure that the voice of the moderate majority on both sides is heard and acted upon by their respective leaders.  Earlier this year Paul officially joined OneVoice’s International Board of Advisors, which includes names such as Danny DeVito and Muhammed Ali.

 

Whilst performing in Tel Aviv last year, Paul’s message was to bring people together via the power of music – a sentiment that is shared by two singers, Noa, an Israeli Jew and Mira Awad, an Israeli Arab, who are members of OneVoice Israel.  They are to perform a song together for the Eurovision song contest titled There Must Be Another Way.

 

Paul said: “This seems to me like a great idea, the symbolism of two people from both sides coming together to spread their message of peace via music is exciting and inspiring for me. I hope President Obama looks into this organisation and feels that OneVoice could be part of a peaceful solution.”

 

When Noa and Mira heard of Paul’s involvement with OneVoice they said: “Paul is a great source of inspiration for both of us, and we would like thank him from the bottom of our hearts for the amazing gift he has given us with his music and for supporting the great work that everyone at OneVoice is doing. Our first collaboration, 8 years ago, was a cover of Paul’s song, “We Can Work It Out”. We’ve performed it all over the world, using the timeless words and music to carry our small torch of hope for a better future.”

 

About OneVoice

The OneVoice Movement is an international mainstream grassroots movement with almost 650,000 signatories in roughly equal numbers both in Israel and in Palestine, and over 2,000 highly-trained youth leaders. It aims to amplify the voice of the overwhelming- but heretofore silent- majority of moderates who wish for peace and prosperity, empowering them to demand accountability from elected representatives and work toward a two-state solution guaranteeing an end to occupation and violence, and a viable, independent Palestinian state at peace with Israel. OneVoice counts on its Board over 60 foremost dignitaries and business leaders across a wide spectrum of politics and beliefs, joining as OneVoice for conflict resolution.

Learn more by visiting www.OneVoiceMovement.org

Senator Lugar commends OV Poll in US Senate Hearing on Middle East

Yesterday in his opening remarks for the US Senate Hearing on the Middle East with Tony Blair, Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana (R) -- who is the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Republican leader -- cited the recent OneVoice poll as evidence of grassroots acceptance for a negotiated two state solution:

President Obama has stated clearly that a comprehensive peace between Israel and the Palestinians is in the national interest of the United States. He says he wants results, not just a process. He has assigned a new special envoy, our friend Senator George Mitchell, to engage in the detailed diplomacy required of such an effort. When we met with Senator Mitchell several weeks ago, he spoke with energy and pragmatism about the task at hand. We also heard from King Abdullah of Jordan three weeks ago, who communicated the support of leaders of the Arab states for “decisive action” toward a settlement. In addition, there is substantial support within Israeli and Palestinian societies for a resolution to the conflict. A recent poll, published by OneVoice, found that 74 percent of Palestinians and 78 percent of Israelis want a two-state solution.

Senator Lugar's full remarks are here: http://lugar.senate.gov/press/record.cfm?id=313018&&

OVI supports Noa & Mira Awad in Eurovision 2009

Achinoam Nini (Noa) a Jewish Israeli musician, and Mira Awad, a Palestinian Israeli musician, who are representing Israel in Eurovision, have joined the OneVoice Movement, an international grassroots movement that aims to amplify the voice of Israeli and Palestinian moderates, empowering them to seize back the agenda for conflict resolution and demand that their leaders achieve a two-state solution guaranteeing the end of occupation, establishing a viable independent Palestinian state, and ensuring the safety and security of the state of Israel - allowing both people to live in peace with all their neighbors.

OVI held a special send off event to Mira and Achinoam in a club in Tel Aviv. Over 250 people attended. At the event the two made a special tribute to the crowd by singing a very moving unplugged version of "There must be another way". Supporters raised a toast for success and support for the two brave artists and their message of hope.

Achinoam Nini (Noa): In my first meeting with the movement's representatives in Israel we immediately connected to their message. I believe that there must be another way and that most people in the region would like to move forward and end the conflict. The problem is that the voices of the moderate people are almost unheard. Mira and I hope that we can strengthen the moderates' voices and prove there can be another way.

Mira Awad: I identify with the movement because it's non-partisan. I deeply believe that in each and every one of us there is a desire to put an end to the killing, no matter where they stand on the political map. Therefore it is our responsibility to pressure the leaders of both peoples to fulfill the role they were elected for and to find a way for both people to live peacefully side by side. The mere existence of this movement which operates on both sides and which keep the torch of sanity lit, in hard days and moments of crisis, fills me with hope for a better future in our region.

OV Poll: Popular Mandate for Negotiated Two State Solution

NEW POLL:
TWO STATE SOLUTION REMAINS ACCEPTABLE RESOLUTION
FOR VAST MAJORITY OF ISRAELIS & WEST BANK/GAZA PALESTINIANS
74% of Palestinians in West Bank & Gaza willing to accept Two State Solution
78% of Israelis willing to accept Two State Solution

MAJORITIES ON BOTH SIDES SUPPORT A NEGOTIATED PEACE
71% of Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza & 77% of Israelis feel Negotiations are ‘Essential’ or ‘Desirable’

ONEVOICE LAUNCHES TOWN HALL MEETINGS SERIES IN ISRAEL & PALESTINE
TO ADDRESS FINAL STATUS & MUTUAL RECOGNITION ISSUES

DOWNLOAD THE FULL POLLING REPORT

22 April 2009 / Jerusalem / Despite growing fears that the “Two State Solution” is losing purchase on the ground in Israel and Palestine, today the OneVoice Movement (www.OneVoiceMovement.org) released the findings of a new poll which demonstrates that the two state solution remains the only acceptable resolution for the vast majority of Israelis and Palestinians.

OneVoice is an international grassroots collective using civic engagement to mobilize citizens and their leaders to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with a mutually-acceptable two state agreement which ends the occupation, guarantees the security of Israel , and establishes a viable, independent Palestinian state at peace with Israel.

The poll was commissioned by OneVoice in collaboration with Dr. Colin Irwin of the Institute of Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool (www.peacepolls.org), and in conjunction with Dr. Nader Said of Arab World for Research and Development (AWRAD) in Ramallah and Dr. Mina Zemach of Dahaf Institute in Tel Aviv. The methodology, which had been piloted by Dr. Irwin in Northern Ireland and subsequently used in places as varied as Sri Lanka and Macedonia, involved a questionnaire designed through a series of interviews with civil society leaders and political figures on each side. The field work was conducted by Zemach in Israel and by Said in Palestine during February 2009, in the wake of the Gaza war and the Israeli elections.

The results indicate that 74% of West Bank & Gaza Palestinians and 78% of Israelis are willing to accept a two state solution77% of Israelis and 71% of Palestinians consider a negotiated peace ‘essential’ or ‘desirable.’ (an option rated on a range from ‘tolerable’ to ‘essential’), while 59% of Palestinians and 66% of Israelis find a single bi-national state ‘unacceptable.’ Additionally, according to the data, Ninety-four percent of Palestinians and 74% of Israelis think that the people must be continually informed on the negotiations process.

The poll also reveals that consensus still needs to be built. The findings imply that mainstream Israeli and Palestinian populations still have yet to acknowledge the significant priorities and fears on the other side. While the issue of greatest significance for Palestinians is freedom from occupation (94% deem it a ‘very significant’ problem in the peace process, ranking it the primary issue on the Palestinian side), only 30% of Israelis find it to be ‘very significant,’ ranking the issue 15th on the Israeli side. Similarly, the primary issue on the Israeli side is stopping attacks on civilians (90% rate it a ‘very significant’ issue). This issue meets with 50% approval on the Palestinian side, and ranks as 19 in a list of 21 issues. Significant gaps in public consensus persist as well on the issues of settlements and refugees – two issues on which there was no single proposed solution which met with majority approval on both sides.

To address the critical gaps that still exist on some recognition and final status issues, OneVoice is launching a Town Hall Meetings Series in Israel and Palestine to present the findings of the poll and discuss the various issues – from mutual recognition to settlements, refugees, and Jerusalem – that both sides will need to confront in order to reach a two state agreement. Progress at the negotiating table is only one step in the process of reaching an agreement that can be implemented. An end to the conflict will only come when the leaders come to an agreement that their peoples are ready to understand, accept, and support. The series will be launched in May and will be implemented throughout the rest of 2009. It will use the findings of the poll as a starting point for discussions.

Five hundred interviews were completed in Israel and six hundred in the West Bank and Gaza to produce representative samples of both populations in terms of age, gender, social background and geographical distribution. As the polls were conducted during a particularly difficult time on both sides – immediately following the Gaza war and the Israeli elections – the continued insistence of both sides on a negotiated and mutually-acceptable resolution could offer significant legitimacy to political leaders looking to push for negotiations toward a two state agreement.

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About the OneVoice Movement: The OneVoice Movement is an international mainstream grassroots movement with over 600,000 signatories in roughly equal numbers both in Israel and in Palestine , and 2,000 highly-trained youth leaders. It aims to amplify the voice of Israeli and Palestinian moderates, empowering them to seize back the agenda for conflict resolution and demand that their leaders achieve a two-state solution guaranteeing both the end of occupation and the establishment of a viable Independent Palestinian state as well as the safety and security of the state of Israel - allowing both people to live in peace with all their neighbors. OneVoice counts on its Board over 60 foremost dignitaries and business leaders across a wide spectrum of politics and beliefs, joining as OneVoice for conflict resolution. Learn more by visiting www.OneVoiceMovement.org

Full Polling Report Available for Download

Skoll recognizes OneVoice in front of 800-strong audience

On 25 March, Daniel Lubetzky participated on behalf of the OneVoice Movement and PeaceWorks Foundation at the Opening Plenary session of the Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship. OV was blessed to have been selected last year as one of Skoll’s awardees. And this year the honor was no less significant as OV was the only awardee on the Opening Plenary - Daniel participated along with former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, a 30-year veteran in the fight against child labor, and Ray Suarez, the PBS and NPR Moderator.

The session is available here. 

OV Welcomes Amanda Fazzone to OVUS

OVUS extends a warm welcome to its newest team member, Amanda Fazzone, who will be assuming the position of Director of Government Relations in Washington DC.

This is an exciting new step for us as a movement, at a time when the new administration here and new governments in the region offer us a real window of opportunity.

Amanda is a DC native who has spent the past 4 ½ years working on economic development and youth training in the Middle East. She is a former journalist and communications professional with more than a decade of experience at media outlets and nonprofit organizations in Washington.

Welcome, Amanda!