Pessimistic about Palestinian-Israeli peace, say experts


Posted on 27th Jan 2015 04:13 pm by mohit kumar

Jaipur, Jan 24 (IANS) It is one of the enduring problems of the world and the Palestinian-Israeli imbroglio doesn't seem to offer any hope of a peaceful resolution soon, says experts who were divided on whether to continue to strive for a two-state solution or any other solution. They all acknowledge the Israeli settlements on the West Bank are the stumbling block.

All speakers also agreed that the US was not doing all it could to ensure a peaceful and abiding settlement.

Introducing the session "The Twilight Zone: Between Arabs and Israelis" at the Jaipur Literary Festival Saturday, India's former envoy to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri said the recent Hamas-Israeli conflict had caused "deep scepticism" about the prospects of any negotiated settlement and the "essential core" of the problem was the settlements.

He recalled once there was a resolution in the UN Security Council on the issue and all 15 members were on the same page but American envoy Susan Rice came to him and said her country had a problem with the word "illegal" and it should instead be "illegitimate".

"Though to my mind, there was no difference... but the US anyway vetoed it," he said.

American author Kai Bird, who spent his childhood in the Middle East and has written about his experiences, noted he was a "contrarian and a naive optimist" and pinned his hopes on a two-state solution but admitted it was "not likely to happen soon".

He held out the hope that the forthcoming Israeli elections could throw up a winner interested in taking the peace process to a conclusion, instead of incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud.

Israeli journalist-author Gideon Levy , who noted he was not a professional diplomat, did not mince words and described the settlements as not only "illegal" or "illegitimate" but "criminal".

He contended all Israeli parties had the "one goal of preventing any just settlement" by encouraging settlements.

"It is all about real estate," Levy asserted.

He held it was not a complex conflict and there was a "basic set of facts that no one can deny". "Israel annexed Gaza and West Bank and it has been one of the most brutal tragedies. The occupation must end," he said.

Levy said all Israeli leaders had tricks and ways of preventing a solution and all kinds of cover ups. "There are religious and security excuses, that there is terror, there is no partner (on the Palestinian side), (Yasser) Arafat was an obstacle and so on."

Journalist-author Adam LeBor said he shared Levy's anger but also agreed with Bird.

"Opinion polls show a majority of people are for a peaceful, two state solution. People are ready for peace but are badly led on both sides," he said.

Palestinian writer Fady Joudah lamented that his people's narrative and right to speak had got confined to opinion polls.

"There is so much knowledge that issues get diluted. There has been speaking of the language of power, what we need is speaking of the language of the vanquished.. common decency about the Palestinian plight," he said.

Indian diplomat and former envoy to Israel Navtej Sarna, who noted he was speaking in his personal capacity, said the "Twilight Zone" was an apt description but plumped for following the two-state solution despite all the obstacles.

He termed it unfortunate that there was no space for negotiations and leaders ready to make sacrifices and take risks.

"There is need of one-two people, one on each side, ready to put their life on the line to solve this old issue which goes before 1948 (the first Arab-Israeli War) to the time when Jewish settlers were coming in to then Turkish-ruled Palestine. But counter-narratives cannot be dismissed as propaganda.. people live with them, believe in them...

"We can in short term condemn the Twilight Zone but what is important is how we engage with the Twilight Zone in a way that makes human dignity possible beyond a label of victim," he said.

Did you know?Explore Trending and Topic pages for more stories like this.
0 Like 0 Dislike
Previous news Next news
Other news

Virat Kohli is also champion in taking rest: Did not play 73 international matches in the last 7 years, India wins 17% more if Kohli takes rest

The name Virat Kohli is considered synonymous with success. Very successful batsman. A hugely suc

Dhurandhar 2: On its 18th day, 'Dhurandhar 2' made history! It became the first film to earn ₹1,000 crore at the domestic box office.

‘Dhurandhar 2’ hit theaters on March 19. Since its release, the film has been setting

Son of a tobacco businessman injures four people with his Lamborghini; the family had previously made headlines for their expensive cars and lavish lifestyle.

On Sunday afternoon, on VIP Road in Kanpur, the son of a tobacco businessman, while speeding in h

Appointment: Former Petroleum Secretary Tarun Kapoor appointed as advisor to PM Modi, major administrative reshuffle at the Center

The central government made a major administrative reshuffle on Monday. Under this, former Petrol

Modi Surname: JP Nadda said - Rahul has a big ego and little understanding, insulted OBC society for political gains

After the conviction of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case, the BJP is continuou

Monkeypox Virus in UAE: Three more cases of monkeypox found in UAE, the first case was found a week ago

Monkeypox cases in the United Arab Emirates have started to be found in the United Arab Emirates

BCCI-Dream11: 'Will not be associated with any such organization in the future', BCCI confirmed the breaking of the agreement with Dream-11

The Rs 358 crore sponsorship deal between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and fa

In Bigg Boss 18, she was speechless in front of Salman Khan, now Ashneer Grover said in his defense- he did this for TRP...

Bollywood's Bhaijaan i.e. Salman Khan never misses a chance to win the hearts of his fans with hi

President Calls for Increasing Trade with Myanmar

New Delhi, Jan 22 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee, in a meeting with Vice President of Myanma

Inheritance Tax: 'If inheritance tax is imposed, the economy will stop, 99 percent of the people of India will...', the economist said on Congress' suggestion

Amidst the Lok Sabha elections, there is political turmoil regarding inheritance tax (division of

Sign up to write
Sign up now if you have flare of writing..
Login   |   Register
Follow Us
Indyaspeak @ Facebook Indyaspeak @ Twitter Indyaspeak @ Pinterest RSS



Play Free Quiz and Win Cash