No To Bloodshed, No To Occupation, Yes To Negotiations, Yes To
Peace.
We, the undersigned Israelis and Palestinians, meeting today in the
most difficult of circumstances for both our peoples, come together
to call for an end to bloodshed, an end to occupation, an urgent
return to negotiations and the realization of peace between our two
peoples. We refuse to comply with the ongoing deterioration in our
situation, with the growing list of victims, the suffering and the
real possibility that we may all be drowned in a sea of mutual
hostility.
We hereby raise our voices and implore all people of goodwill to
return to sanity, to rediscover compassion, humanity, and critical
judgment, and to reject the unbearable ease of the descent into
fear, hatred, and calls for revenge.
In spite of everything, we still believe in the humanity of the
other side, that we have a partner of peace and that a negotiated
solution to the conflict between our peoples is possible.
Mistakes have been made on all sides; the trading of accusations
and pointing of fingers is not a policy and is no substitute for
serious engagement.
The impression that exists in both communities that "time is on our
side" is illusory. The passage of time benefits only those who do
not believe in peace. The longer we wait, the more innocent blood
will be spilt, the greater will be the suffering and hope will be
further eroded. We must urgently to rebuild our partnership, to end
the dehumanization of the other, and to revive the option of a just
peace that holds out promise for our respective futures.
The way forward lies in international legitimacy and the
implementation of UNSCR 242 and 338 leading to a two-state solution
based on the 1967 borders, Israel and Palestine living side by
side, with their respective capitals in Jerusalem. Solutions can be
found to all outstanding issues that should be fair and just to
both sides and should not undermine the sovereignty of the
Palestinian and Israeli states as determined by their respective
citizens, and embodying the aspirations to statehood of both
people, Jewish and Palestinian. This solution should build on the
progress made between November 1999 and January 2001.
The immediate need is for the full and accurate implementation of
the Recommendations of the Mitchell Committee, including the
cessation of violence, a total freeze on settlement activity, the
implementation of outstanding agreements and a return to
negotiations. This process needs to be monitored by an objective
third party.
We see it as our duty to work together and each of us in their own
communities, to put a halt to the deterioration in our relations,
to rebuild trust, belief and the hope for peace.
Israeli Signatories
Dr. Janet Aviad, Peace Now
Chaim Oron, Meretz leader, former minister
Prof. Arieh Arnon, Peace Now, academic
Yossi Beilin, former minister, Labor Party
Prof. Menachem Brinker, Hebrew University
Prof. Galia Golan, Peace Now, academic
David Grossman, author
Dr. Yossi Dahan
Prof. Moshe Halbertal, Hebrew University
A.B. Yehoshua, author
Prof. Yirmyahu Yovel, Hebrew University
Dr. Dan Yaacobson, Tel Aviv University
Prof. Ephi Ya'ar, Steinmetz Institute for Peace
Daniel Levy, ECF, peace activist
Ronit Matalon, author
Prof. Avishai Margalit, Hebrew University
Amos Oz, author
Ron Pundak, ECF, Peres Peace Center
Yair Tsaban, former minister, Meretz Party
Dr. Nissim Calderon, academic
Dr. Ephraim Kleinman, economist
Dr. Menachem Klein, Bar Ilan University
Dr. Aviad Kleinberg, academician, head of publishing house
Tsali Reshef, Peace Now, lawyer
Prof. Yuli Tamir, former minister, Labor Party
Palestinian Signatories
Yasser Abed Rabbo, minister of culture and information
Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, PLC member, secretary-general of the Palestinian
Initiative for Global Dialogue and Democracy
Hakam Bal'awi, PLC member, member of Fatah Central Committee
Nabil Amr, minister of parliamentary affairs
Hisham Abdul-Razek, minister of prisoners and ex-detainees
affairs
Dr. Sari Nusseibeh, president, al-Quds University
Dr. Gabi Baramki, former vice-president of Bir Zeit
University
Hafez al-Barghouti, editor-in-chief, al-Hayat al-Jadida daily
Dr. Nazmi Ju'beh, director-general, Riwaq (Center for Architectural
Conservation)
Dr. Salim Tamari, director, Institute for Jerusalem Studies
Dr. Mahdi Abdul-Hadi, director, Palestinian Academic Society for
the Study of International Affairs (PASSIA)
Suleiman Mansour, director al-Wasiti Art Center
George Ibrahim, director, al-Qasaba Theater
Sufian Zaqout, director-general, Ministry of Civil Affairs
Sama'an Khoury, director-general, Palestine Media Center
Dr. Samir Abdallah, director, PalTrade
Samir Huleileh, manager, Nassar Investment Co.
As'ad al-As'ad, author
Abdul Rahman Awadallah, author
Samir Rantisi, media advisor to the minister of culture and
information
Nisreen Haj-Ahmad, lawyer
Rami Shehadeh, lawyer
Ghaith al-Omari, lawyer
