I am more pessimistic than I have ever been - being pessimistic is a new place more me and forces me to sense a feeling of being the "prophet of doom". I don't currently see hope beyond the doom which is about to fall on us. We, Israelis and Palestinians alike are trapped by our own doings. The more complex the situation becomes the more trapped we are.
This past weekend the inaugural meeting of the Israeli-Palestinian Peace NGOs forum was held in Jordan. More than 100 Israeli and Palestinian peace organizations have come together to form this alliance of committed peace activists to work together, to coordinate, and to be empowered. This is a very positive development which does offer some hope. Almost all of these NGOs are facing crises at home. It is becoming increasingly difficult for us all to work. Funds are becoming more and more scarce. Logistics of holding meetings between Israelis and Palestinians are a nightmare. Even traveling to the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea for these meetings takes hours and costs amazingly high tariffs and fees to move us across what should be a 15 minute trip. Instead it involves a border that takes hours to cross. I would much prefer to hold the meetings locally, but Israelis cannot enter the Palestinian areas and Palestinians require permits to enter Israel. Ironically and cynically, very often Palestinian peace activists are denied permits from the Israeli authorities. With all of the difficulties of reaching our destination, the meeting in Jordan was quite successful and despite the general sense of despair in the air, all of the participants, representing some 40 Israeli and Palestinian peace NGOs, remain 100% committed to working together for real peace.
One of the members suggested that we try to organize a demonstration in Sderot and Beit Hanoun calling for an immediate ceasefire. We are now working to see if it is practical and if we have people on both sides willing to participate. I just spoke with a friend in Beit Lahia who called to voice his sorrow for the attack yesterday and to express his hopes that Gilead Shalit is released. I asked him about participating and helping to organize the demonstration. He said that he would begin immediately working on it. That gives some sense of hope.
Gershon Baskin, Ph.D.
Co-CEO, IPCRI
ISRAEL/PALESTINE CENTER FOR RESEARCH & INFORMATION
P.O. Box 9321, Jerusalem 91092
Tel: 972-2-676-9460 Fax: 972-2-676-8011
Mobile: 052-381-715
gershon@ipcri.org
http://www.ipcri.org
http://www.place4peace.com
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