In October 2012 Gro Harlem Brundtland, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson travelled to Israel and the West Bank to draw attention to the developments threatening the two-state solution. After meeting civil society, Israeli and Palestinian political leaders, and humanitarian and human rights experts, the Elders concluded their visit by warning that the situation is heading towards a one-state outcome – which would be catastrophic for both Israelis and Palestinians.
“We don't give up. We are determined. In this interconnected world, problems in one country – if we don't address them and support them – will spill over into other countries.”
On NPR’s Talk of The Nation, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson joined Neal Conan in a radio interview to discuss how and where the 'moral force' of The Elders can be most effective.
Press conference in Jerusalem on Monday 22 October Press conference in Cairo on Tuesday 23 October
Gro Harlem Brundtland, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson will visit Israel, the West Bank and Egypt. While in the Middle East they aim to draw attention to the imperilled two-state solution and lend their support to the Egyptian democratic transition.
With the US and Israel opposing the Palestinian bid for statehood at the UN, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson urge the European Union to seize this opportunity to support Palestinian self-determination and maintain its commitment to upholding international law. Originally published in Le Monde.
"What can I do as an ordinary citizen, as a person of goodwill, to help support peace in the Middle East?" Mary Robinson, Jimmy Carter and Lakhdar Brahimi answer your questions.
Just after returning from their recent trip to the Middle East, the Elders asked their supporters around the world to send in their questions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Here, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson respond to some of your questions.
During their second visit to the Middle East in October 2010, the Elders travelled to East Jerusalem to see first-hand the extent of settlement expansion into Arab neighbourhoods.
During their trip to the Middle East in October 2010, the Elders visited East Jerusalem where they met Palestinian residents and joined a weekly demonstration in Sheikh Jarrah.
"Non-violence is the only way of cleansing society of the tiredness, brutalisation and despondency it has been forced into." Ela Bhatt
During their first visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory in August 2009, the Elders visit peaceful protestors in the West Bank village of Bil'in, a Palestinian family living on the pavement after being evicted from their Jerusalem home, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.
On the second day of their visit to the Middle East in August 2009, The Elders meet Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salaam Fayad. They also cross into the West Bank, where they meet women from the Qalandia refugee camp and listen to the concerns of young Palestinians.
