Lakhdar Brahimi recently chaired a panel discussion in London with two members of the Goldstone inquiry, Professor Christine Chinkin and Colonel Desmond Travers, a former member of Israel’s Knesset, Ami Ayalon, and Palestinian lawyer Karma Nabulsi. Here, he answers questions from the Elders’ team on some of the issues raised by the speakers and the audience.
In his lecture 'Bridging the World's Divides', held at the British Museum and extracted in The Independent, Kofi Annan argues for a renewed urgency to resolve conflicts and promote understanding between peoples.
February 19th saw a double celebration at the weekly protest that has become the hallmark of the popular struggle against the Wall and the settlements. Emily Schaeffer describes this major victory for the movement and explains why the non-violent demonstrations will continue.
Jimmy Carter describes the courage of the activists involved in non-violent protests in the West Bank and argues that the response of the Israeli authorities contravenes international human rights law.
Immediately following the end of Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip last year, Israeli human rights organisation B'Tselem gathered 15 young volunteers, mostly students starting their studies in communication or journalism, gave them video cameras, and asked them to document everyday life around them.
Writing in The Guardian, Jimmy Carter argues that the suffering of those under seige in Gaza demands the bold action of Quartet members - Russia, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations.
The Elders have released a report of their trip, "People and Peace in the Middle East". Rather than providing a detailed political analysis – of which there are many – they want share their personal impressions of how this conflict is affecting ordinary people.
Emily Schaeffer, an American-Israeli human rights lawyer, accompanied the Elders on their visit to the Palestinian village of Bil'in in the West Bank. Here, she describes how the villagers are using non-violent protest as a means to oppose the Israeli soldiers' acts of brutality.
Commenting in The International Herald Tribune, Jimmy Carter argues that the criticism of Israel in the Goldstone report is justified and that the international community must take immediate steps to help rebuild Gaza.
Hani Zubida, an academic and social and political activist, argues that the key ingredients needed to kick start the peace process are good faith and a clean slate.