RE: [Futurework] Middle East bilateral peace plan

[Karen Watters Cole]

Thanks, Bill.   For others who didn’t explore the rest of the CSM report, here’s more, which gives a bigger picture of the current debate about the ineffectiveness of current policies.  Even if the “People’s Peace Plan” does not do anything more than gather more signatures, it raises the level of awareness that the people most affected are losing faith in their elected leadership to genuinely address peace negotiations.  Personally, I find a grassroots initiative a very positive, if desperate, sign for which to be hopeful.  If they collect enough signatures showing willingness to compromise on right of return and border/settlement issues, it could encourage leadership to move forward, abandoning failed policies.  Let us be hopeful.   “The UN News Center reports that the text of the resolution, which had been introduced by Italy, on behalf of the European Union, expressed the Assembly's "particular concern that the route marked out for the wall under construction by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, could prejudice future negotiations and make the two-state solution physically impossible to implement and would cause further humanitarian hardship to the Palestinians." The CBC reports that Israel says it will continue with construction of the fence, regardless of the UN vote. Israel's Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the fence is needed to keep out Palestinian attackers.   NPR reports that the lack of progress on peace talks, and the continuing violence, mean that more Palestinians are willing to look at the idea of a "one-state" solution. The proposal causes fear among Israelis determined to protect their country's Jewish majority, but supporters of the idea argue that current Israeli policies of "reoccupation" in the West Bank are making it more likely. The idea of one-state for both Israelis and Palestinians was most recently championed by the late Edward Said, a professor at Columbia University and perhaps the best known supporter of the Palestinian cause.”   Also noted was a “Hollywood peace initiative” where actors had signed up to tour Israel on behalf of peace negotiations, sponsored by OneVoice Israel.  - KWC   Bill wrote: I have added a power point slide that looks at deaths since Sharon. What is of interest is that Israeli deaths are way up to. He had gotten Israelis to believe that he came in to protect Israelis but the awful truth is that he initiated the crises to dump Barak and to secure his future through increased terror. Please see the Christian Science Monitor’s Daily Update, October 22, 2003 for the rest of this: links are live Israeli strikes launch debate about civilian casualties  @ http://www.csmonitor.com/specials/sept11/dailyUpdate.html