Many of us identified with the Israel “side” of I-P discussions often state our belief that most “pro-Israel” participants support a genuine two-state peace settlement. Many of those on the “Palestine” side often state their support for Israel’s continued existence alongside a (desired) state of Palestine. Under the motto Two States / Two Peoples / One Peace, The June 5th Initiative gives us, and all DKos members interested in an end-of-conflict peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians, the opportunity to demonstrate where we stand, and to try to make a difference in the real world.
Below the fold, I reproduce the (brief) text of the Initiative. If you can support it, please say so in the comments and go here to add your real name to the public list of endorsers from around the world.
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Thank you for your consideration.
The June 5th Initiative
Mission Statement
June 5, 2007 will mark 40 years since the beginning of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Over the years, Israelis and Palestinians have been fighting each other endlessly, ferociously resulting in death, devastation, and destruction. In recent years polls repeatedly show that the silent majorities of both peoples understand that they have no other national home, and that neither side is going to leave their homes. Hence, most people believe that it is time to reach an historical peaceful compromise, ending the occupation and ending the conflict.
During the week of June 5, 2007 the June 5 Initiative for Israeli-Palestinian Peace, a civil society initiative together with various NGOs and individuals, will send a loud and clear message to the peoples and leaders of the region and around that world that the silent majorities of Israelis and Palestinians accept a peaceful compromise based on the “two-states for two peoples” formula on the basis of the 1967 borders. For the first time in years, events and demonstrations for peace will be conducted in both Palestine and Israel.
We leave the details of the peace agreement to our leaders, but we want to show our support for an historical compromise for peace. We call on our leaders to initiate non-stop negotiations for peace until full agreements are reached. We affirm that there are partners for peace on both sides. We assert our commitment to the principle that the Palestinian and the Jewish peoples have a right to a state of their own, and that they have a right and deserve to live in peace, security and prosperity.
An international list of endorsers may be found here.
Original Tags: Peace, Israel, Palestine