London, October 18, 2011—OneVoice held an event at Chatham House with Rt. Hon. David Miliband MP, former UK Foreign Secretary, and Sen. George Mitchell, former US Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, to discuss the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the two-state solution.
The video provides highlights from the event.
The video recording is provided courtesy of Chatham House.
LISTEN to the audio recording of the entire event.
Following the Palestinian bid at the UN, OneVoice is connecting leaders with the grassroots and finding that strong will exists among the people to reach a final agreement.
The discussion with Miliband and Mitchell comes on the heels of OneVoice Israel’s landmark event outside Tel Aviv’s Cinematheque last week that saw 500 Israelis talk ‘dooghri’ (straight) with 30 prominent state and civil society leaders.
In New York, two of the movement's rising youth activists, Gabi Avner and Anas Ashqar, are leading a speaking tour, bringing the message of the two-state solution, of political pragmatism, and of OneVoice to think-tanks such as the Council on Foreign Relations, young professionals, and the wider public.
Rt. Hon. David Miliband MP (left) with OneVoice Europe Executive Director John Lyndon and OneVoice activist Anthony Silkoff at Chatham House on Monday.
London, October 17, 2011—OneVoice event brought Rt. Hon. David Miliband MP and Senator George Mitchell for a conversation on the Israel-Palestine conflict at London’s Chatham House on Monday.
Quotes from the event:
Sen. George Mitchell: Almost every Arab leader I know now would gladly accept the partition plan that was rejected in 1948 because the reality is that the offers made since then are fewer and less attractive. And I said to President Abbas and I said to Chairman Arafat many times—there is not a single shred of evidence that you can cite to me to suggest that the longer you wait, the offers are going to get better; they’re not. The 1948 partition plan is not now on the table and never again will be. So in my judgment, what they've got to do is to sit down and negotiate and get a deal that creates a state, and builds on it and that will resolve the settlements issue. Then they’ll know what’s Israel and what’s Palestine and anybody can build what they want in their own country. But the longer this goes on, the less optimistic one must be because the opportunities for both are going to decline. So for both sides, the answer is get in a room, sit down, and negotiate an agreement that will be less than 100 percent of what each wants, but much better than the alternative for both.
Rt. Hon. David Miliband: I think for the first time in a long time, the Palestinians have got some good tactics, but the tactics are not the same as a good strategy and let me explain why. I think it’s a plausible case that if the Palestinians hadn't pursued their UN process, we wouldn't even be talking about two-state solution here. We've got our hands full with the Arab Spring, economic melt-down around the world, and I think the Palestinian judgment in the first quarter of this year was we are going to get left out of this global conversation completely. In September 2010, President Obama said, ‘I look forward in a year’s time to having a Palestinian state at the UN,’ and they looked at this and thought we’re just not even going to be part of the conversation. And so I think it’s been a smart tactic to go to the UN, to mobilize opinion, to raise their concerns. But they've been wrong-footed by the allegation that going to the UN is somehow an alternative to a negotiating track.
Rt. Hon. David Miliband: Given the overwhelming international consensus, it is striking how little that is brought to bear on the feelings of the two parties. And so I would be very supportive of trying to think hard about how do you internationalize the effort as well as regionalize the solution. And I don’t think that’s an anti-American thing to say, I think it’s a recognition of the reality of America’s role in the world and the other pressures on it. Now that’s especially the case, given that history isn’t going to stop for the next 14 months while America decides who its next President is going to be. The Quartet is one nod towards internationalization, but of course it doesn't have an Arab partner of a serious kind.
Sen. George Mitchell: One reason why I think OneVoice is so valuable is that they are one, a very large one, but one of many organizations who are committed to it, and there are some extremely impressive and moving individuals and organizations working at the grassroots level in very difficult circumstances between Israelis and Palestinians helping each other, seeing each other in human terms, not as the ‘other’ or ‘them,’ which I think is essential to make peace. Diplomats and statesmen and elected officials or appointed officials can make peace, but it takes hold only in the hearts and minds of the people. And it’s essential that whatever happens here have enough endurance that at the first setback, which there are bound to be many, it doesn’t fall apart, and that comes only from the people.
David Miliband MP (left), Sen. George Mitchell, and Dr. Robin Niblett discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at Chatham House on Monday.
WATCH: Sen. George Mitchell on BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show
New York, October 10, 2011—As the Palestinian Authority’s bid for statehood at the UN attracted the world’s attention throughout September, OneVoice youth activists Obada Shtaya and Eyal Shapira grabbed local headlines of their own on OneVoice’s Washington, DC speaking tour.
Eyal and Obada spoke throughout the Washington area from September 16 - 23, meeting with senior White House officials, members of the State Department, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as speaking with students on campuses at George Washington University, American University, Gallaudet University, District of Columbia University and Georgetown University.
New York, September 27, 2011—Al-Jazeera English interviewed OneVoice CEO Howard Sumka on Friday about the Palestinian UN bid, US threats to cut aid to the Palestinian Authority, and the effects on the two-state solution.
The video is provided courtesy of Al-Jazeera English.
OneVoice Israel's Tal Harris challenges crowd outside Tel Aviv's Independence Hall to at least consider how a Palestinian state can bolster the two-state solution.
New York, September 22, 2011—Top Israeli cultural figures participated in OneVoice Israel’s event outside Tel Aviv’s Independence Hall on Thursday to encourage a bold Israeli response beyond this week’s anticipated UN showdown.
Hundreds crowded Rothschild Boulevard to hear several Israel Prize laureates, including Joseph Aggasi, Yehuda Bauer and David Harel, and prominent writers such as Sefi Rachlevsky and Yoram Kaniuk state their case in support of recognizing a Palestinian state to pave the way for negotiations. Also on hand were former Ambassadors Alon Liel and Ilan Baruch, Knesset members Nitzan Horowitz, Zahava Gal-On, and Dov Khenin, and Tel Aviv City Council Chair Yael Dayan.
“Recognition of a Palestinian state based on the ’67 border with agreed upon territorial exchanges counters the notion of a bi-national state and preserves the nature of Israel,” said OneVoice Israel Executive Director Tal Harris. “Israel’s support would also spoil any effort to delegitimize or internationally isolate us.”
OneVoice Israel also launched their online campaign this week, buoyed by the strong support from members of Israel’s elite, asking Israelis to consider the potential benefits of a Palestinian state existing alongside Israel in peace and security.
Online teaser advertisements on popular Web site Walla received widespread exposure and engaged around 40,000 people. “By providing an online space for citizens to openly voice their support or opposition for the UN vote and talk about it, we managed to involve them directly in the process,” said Harris. All for Peace radio has also been running radio spots produced by OneVoice Israel.
Continuing with the effort to involve Israeli citizens in shaping the national response to the UN vote and especially the aftermath, OneVoice Israel will invite the public on October 11 to join 50 roundtables, led by an equal number of high profile figures, in an unprecedented conversation about the conflict.
“In a nutshell, we believe that Israel can leverage the Palestinian motion and pin down the principle of two-states-for-two-people, which has been a central objective of present and past Israeli governments,” said Reut Institute President Gidi Grinstein, who will be one of the moderators at the event.
OneVoice’s office in Palestine also launched a campaign across the West Bank to support the Palestinian bid with the primary intent to mobilize thousands of Palestinians behind the two-state solution. Their activities will lay the basis for nonviolent and constructive responses in the aftermath of the vote.
Whether the UN vote comes to pass or not, OneVoice Israel’s focus will remain on rallying Israelis to demand their leaders present a bold Israeli peace plan and immediately return to negotiations.
“We have no alternatives but to pursue the two-state solution to guarantee peace, security and prosperity for Israel,” said Harris. “We need our leaders to negotiate a historic agreement that enables Israel and the new State of Palestine to exist side by side and start building a brighter future for all of us.”
Tel Aviv City Council Chair Yael Dayan at OneVoice Israel's event on Thursday states her case in support of recognizing a Palestinian state to pave the way for negotiations.
Listen to the radio story broadcast by PRI’s The World.
Qalqilya Governor Rabeeh al-Khandakji (left), Palestinian Legislative Council member Walid Assaf, and OneVoice Palestine Executive Director Samer Makhlouf speak at a Qalqilya public meeting about Palestinian statehood.
At first glance, it may appear that Palestinian support for our leadership's bid for statehood at the UN is something obvious or simple. In truth, the situation on the ground is far more complicated.
OneVoice Palestine is the only civil society organization running a campaign to educate the people about the UN initiative, explaining to them the benefits while tempering expectations. We are using traditional grassroots tools with social media platforms to bring people into a constructive conversation about what it will take to end the conflict.
Last Thursday, we held the first of several planned town hall meetings in the West Bank city of Qalqilya to talk about the Palestinian UN bid and its effect on the two-state solution. Nearly 200 residents crowded the hall. An elderly woman wondered if her jailed son would be released once Palestine was recognized. A farmer asked if his confiscated lands would be returned. Another worried about compromising refugee rights. The comments ran the gamut and left me convinced that our campaign was incredibly important.
On hand to answer questions with me that day were Qalqilya Governor Rabeeh al-Khandakji and Palestinian Legislative Council member Walid Assaf. We all stressed that only good faith negotiations, with clear terms of reference and a limited time frame, will produce a mutually acceptable and equitable resolution that sees two states for two peoples. Those same words have been stated repeatedly by President Mahmoud Abbas to local and international media.
In Palestine, the battle lines have been drawn. The overwhelming majority of those in favor of the September bid are pragmatic proponents of the two-state solution. Those opposed belong to two camps: either with Hamas and others who call for one state or with those who claim it will undermine the issue of refugees.
Although we realize the potential risks of the UN initiative, we strongly believe that the consequences of abandoning it are far worse - for both Palestine and Israel. If President Abbas were to withdraw now, it would undercut his leadership. It would fuel the disillusionment with the two-state solution on the street and fan the flames of absolutists. Backtracking now, we all felt, would dash the dreams of millions that desire an independent state - based on the 1967 lines and free from occupation - and need the affirmation of such a reality.
Regardless of the outcome at the UN, our campaign in Palestine is providing a much-needed platform for people to take nonviolent actions that advocate reviving the peace process and returning to negotiations. We're countering extremists on both sides that promise to exploit all of us and plunge our lives into chaos.
This week, while we campaign in Bethlehem, Jenin, Salfeet, and across the West Bank, we will be risking for hope over fear and giving Palestinians and Israelis a chance for a better future.
*Samer Makhlouf is executive director of OneVoice Palestine. You can follow him @samermakh.
A resident of Qalqilya raises a concern over the topics addressed in the wake of the UN deliberation on Palestinian statehood.
OVP Field Coordinator Abdullah Hamarsheh (right) answers questions from inquiring youth after the Qalqilya panel discussion.
Listen to the Guardian Focus podcast entitled, ‘What will UN recognition of a Palestinian state mean?,’ featuring OneVoice Palestine Executive Director Samer Makhlouf.
Transcript of Samer Makhlouf's comment:
My name is Samer Makhlouf. I am the executive director of OneVoice Palestine movement. September vote for Palestinians means hope, and I don’t really agree with what some Israeli politicians say, that this is a unilateral action and that it is an alternative to negotiations.
After twenty years of useless negotiations, the Palestinians reached a conclusion that the international community should be part of setting the references for these negotiations. The reason why these negotiations did not produce any tangible outcome or did not end the conflict because every time the Palestinians are asked to compromise the compromise.
The September vote does not at all contradict with the basic concept that we all advocate for, which is negotiations. I think that the Palestinians are also intending that they will go back to the negotiating table. Abu Mazen and the Palestinian leaders clearly said that this is never an alternative for negotiations, and he said that our first, second, and third option are negotiations. So, they will come back to negotiating.
New York, August 16, 2011—OneVoice Israel (OVI) increased their recognition across Israel over the past ten months through the innovative Imagine 2018campaign and their outspoken position on the UN vote to recognize Palestinian statehood this September.
Drawing on the groundwork laid during the Imagine 2018 campaign, including the first ever Two-State Solution Caucus in the Knesset and widespread social media campaigns, OVI is educating the Israeli public, dispelling fears, and helping form a proper Israeli response.
“The current response from the Israeli government [to international recognition of a Palestinian state] is frantic,” said Tal Harris, executive director of OVI. “Therefore, we must put forth a bold Israeli response to make Israel part of the solution rather than a victim or spectator.”
OVI’s original Facebook application, launched in December 2010, allowed users to write headlines about what they would like to read in the year 2018. The application increased OVI’s overall Facebook presence by 300 percent. It also garnered recognition by government ministers and celebrities and reaped thousands of page views.
The 10 winning headlines – chosen by the number of likes on Facebook – were displayed on bus shelters across the country, allowing thousands of Israelis to see the message.
The Two-State Solution Caucus, conceived and co-created by OVI, officially launched in January with the aim of keeping pressure on the Israeli government to achieve a two-state solution and permanently end the conflict.
“We are working to make the Two-State Solution Caucus even stronger by bringing in a total of 35 Knesset member by September,” said Tal.
Other achievements include OVI’s expansion of the town hall meetings series to include high schools across Israel. At one event in Holon this February, a girl sat uneasy in her chair, facing the skepticism of her classmates. Unable to remain silent, she finally asked one of them, “Are you 16 or 68? You sound so depressed and hopeless, [it’s] as if you forgot that the role of youth is to pursue change and not to block it.”
Beyond Israel’s borders, OVI made waves abroad by engaging British Parliamentarians and receiving recognition from Foreign Affairs Shadow Minister Stephen Twigg during a speech he gave in the House of Commons in March.
OVI’s hard work attracted the attention of Israel’s top media outlets, including Haaretz and YNet. Interviews on Channel 10 and Channel 2 have mentioned OneVoice and Karyout radio station broadcasted a two-hour interview with Tal.
OVI is now focused on framing an Israeli response to September's UN vote on Paelstinian recognition. Their newest campaign, “Help Bibi Complete the Israeli Peace Initiative,” has utilized guerilla tactics, an online application and a massive block party to mobilize Israelis and get them thinking creatively about a negotiated peace agreement.
“Our work so far this year has more than doubled OneVoice’s recognition among mainstream Israelis ages 18-44,” said Tal. “The people that have become part of our movement as a result will prove to be the greatest strength to OneVoice's vision of a two-state solution, particularly considering the major challenges ahead.”
From left: Nimrod Nir and Asa Shapiro of The Brief pose with OneVoice Israel Executive Director Tal Harris and former Campaign Manager Daniella Shlomo at the national Effie Awards in Tel Aviv on July 10.
Executive Director Tal Harris and former Campaign Manager Daniella Shlomo worked on the campaign, known in Israel as “Creating Tomorrow, Today” with the help of Nimrod Nir and Asa Shapiro from marketing agency, The Brief.
“It is amazing that the whole advertising industry recognized that we really got the message to the public,” said Shlomo. “Winning this award reaffirmed what I felt from the beginning: that we can have a huge impact and get people talking about the situation.”
Nir and Shapiro stepped up to the plate when approached by OVI with their idea and were more than happy to help.
“Instead of telling [OVI] what we thought was right for them, we asked them for the solution,” said Nir. “They generated the content and all we did is magnify and megaphone their visions of peace. We usually sell cheese or cars, but now we’ve sold hope.”
New York, June 29, 2011—OneVoice CEO Howard Sumka sat down with Voice of America's Davin Hutchins to discuss the impact young Israelis and Palestinians can have on reviving negotiations and shaping the peace process in a changing Middle East.
