In a region where stakes are ordinarily high, seldom have the crossroads been so stark. We have written before that the Middle East never disappoints those who expect swift shifts. The tragic stroke of Prime Minister Sharon, coupled with the deteriorating violence within Gaza, the internal disarray of several Israeli and Palestinian electoral primary contests, and the threats that pockets of extremism pose to the vast majority of Palestinians and Israelis that support a two-state solution present each of us with our own stark choice: to let history pass us by again, or to rise up to the challenge.
Upcoming elections on the Israeli and Palestinian side hold both promise and danger. It is within our reach to advocate and bring about a firm mandate for a comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Just like extreme doom overtook our collective judgment in 2001 and 2002 when all felt that forces of terror and violence on both sides would hijack the region for generations to come, so too has overconfidence in the power of one messianic leader to deliver a miraculous settlement of the conflict through sheer political brinkmanship recently clouded our judgment.
The truth is always more complex, and getting to a comprehensive two-state agreement requires more than strong political leadership: it requires a vocal constituency backing and propelling elected representatives at every step of the way.
Extremist factions will try to derail the process desired by 76% of the Israeli and Palestinian populations. A case in point are the Qassam rockets being lobbied by Islamic Jihad into Israel. As a strong 80% of the Palestinian population supports extending the “quiet” cease-fire period, Islamic Jihad’s support has halved from 6% to under 3% of Palestinian electoral votes, but they are not concerned with running for the PLC elections, so their goal is to spoil the democratic process. They realize that a harsh response from the Israeli government would undermine their adversaries in the local Palestinian arena. The only true weapon to disarm extremist factions will end up being a vocal, consistent, harsh and overwhelming condemnation from the local community where the terror is emanating.
As extremists try to undermine progressive leaders, we must be there for the many Palestinian and Israeli political leaders who have proven the courage to lead towards peace. We must stand with them. We must vocally support and propel them.
In 2006, you will soon learn, OneVoice will be launching its most ambitious campaign yet – with 5 steps every citizen can take to propel a final settlement of this conflict. This will need your involvement. For starters, over the course of the next two to three months, it is important to not throw in the towel of despair, to vocally support and encourage Vice-Prime Minister Olmert during his tenure as caretaker from Prime Minister Sharon, and to support President Mahmoud Abbas during these trying times, all the while remembering that they alone will not be able to deliver peace. That, will require your support.
Below is a sample of activities already under way to empower moderates in the upcoming elections.
“OneVoice Action Campaign,” activates moderates in the region
Palestinian elections are currently scheduled for January 25th and Israeli primaries are already under way. Amidst political turmoil throughout Israel and Palestine and anarchic volatility in some parts of Gaza, OneVoice is working to focus citizens on the importance of voting for an agenda of moderation and non-violent progress towards a two-state solution.
‘Mandate of the People’ Launched by OneVoice-Palestine: Thousands Pledge To Vote for a Future of Coexistence
Pledging their allegiance to any candidate who will support moderation, thousands of Palestinians have already signed the mandate demanding democracy, pluralism, gender equality, an end to the anarchy of arms and a commitment to work toward a two-state solution to the conflict.
Click here to see pictures of OneVoice activists holding ‘Mandate of the People’ events in Tulqarem, Salfeet, Al-Jalazoun, Al-Ram, Nablus, Jericho, Qalqelia, Hebron, Beit Fureek, and Bethlehem.
hundreds of OVP activists gathered with thousands of their fellow citizens in the Nativity Church Square as part of the ongoing Christmas Festival encouraging people to raise their voice and make 2006 the year of change.
"Change is in your hands" OneVoice Celebration part of Christmas Festival in Bethlehem
In an amazing show of support,
Specialized Youth Training Program Further Expanded
27 Israeli youth from Universities across Israel attended a weekend seminar in Jerusalem as they became the latest recruits to be trained in OneVoice’s acclaimed Leadership Development Program. After an ongoing training series, each new recruit organizes events in their own communities to engage their fellow citizens in the push for progress and moderation.
Palestinian seminars meanwhile were held in 6 different districts across the West Bank as OneVoice’s newest ‘agents for change’ learned key leadership and conflict-resolution.
