The visit of the Elders to Israel and the Palestinian Territories comes at a time of renewed hope that an historic peace agreement can be reached. However there are also major challenges. The majority of Israelis and Palestinians agree on the need for a two-state solution and comprehensive Middle East peace, but their leaders are deeply divided and the harsh realities of daily life have seen people's optimism fade.
The Elders travelled to the region to listen to the concerns of all sides and to offer their support to those working for peace. They spoke with a wide cross-section of Israeli and Palestinian society to better understand the difficult issues that they face.
While recognising the important peace efforts underway, the Elders will not be intervening in any political mediation or negotiation efforts. As an independent group, they hope that by directly interacting with ordinary people affected by the conflict and supporting those working for peace and reconciliation at the grassroots, they can help to connect the concerns of the people with the diplomatic process.
The Elders are also extremely concerned about the situation in Gaza. The impact of the blockade on the people of Gaza is immense in humanitarian and human rights terms. The siege can and must end in a way that meets the needs of the people living there, without threatening Israel’s security.
There is currently an historic opportunity to resolve the Middle East conflict in a way that ensures the security and future prosperity of all Israelis and Palestinians. The Elders hope that, through listening to the people and amplifying their stories they can make a small contribution to building the trust and mutual understanding that is needed for those efforts to succeed.
Messages for Peace
- Name: Juna Beli
- Location: Tirana, Albania