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

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.