EPIIC symposium begins with discussion on Israeli-Palestinian conflict

In the first event of the 19th annual EPIIC symposium, speakers directly involved with the Israel-Palestine conflict gathered to discuss the possibilities for peace last night.

Admiral Ami Ayalon, former director of the Israeli Security Agency and Dr. Sari Nusseibeh, former Commissioner in Jerusalem of the Palestinian Authority and President of al-Quds University spoke at the program, entitled "Israel-Palestine: The Conundrum of Coexistence."

Ayalon and Nusseibeh were joined by Roelf Meyer, former Minister of Constitutional Affairs for both the deKlerk and Mandela governments in South Africa, and Dr. Eileen Babbitt, a specialist in divided communities for the United Nations (UN) High Commission for Refugees and Assistant Professor of International Politics at the Fletcher School.

The evening began with remarks from Professor Sherman Teichman, director of the EPIIC program. Teichman called the event a "remarkable gathering" that "transcended the issue of Israel and Palestine" in order to help students "understand what it means to be engaged in the world, committed to the world."

Following an introduction from EPIIC students and moderators Maarouf Al-Dawalibi and Rachel Brandenburg, Ayalon began by trying to explain that the problems of the Middle East are of the past and present, but should also deal with the future. "When you come to the Middle East, you understand very quickly that the past is part of the present," Ayalon said. "Most people -- Palestinians and Israelis -- when they deal with the future, they are pretty close to one another."

Ayalon cited statistics that showed 75 percent of Palestinians and 70 percent of Israelis agree on a two-state solution, with statehood for both groups sharing Jerusalem as a capital. "We understand today that the State of Israel isn't identical to the land of Israel," Ayalon said.

Ayalon said the problems in Israel can be solved without American intervention. "America does not really care, it is up to us," he said.

Ayalon spoke against the "vicious cycle" of violence that has jeopardized dialogue in the region. "Most Israelis think the only way to bring the Palestinians back to the negotiating table is by defeating them on the battlefield," said Ayalon. "Seventy-five percent to 80 percent of Palestinians think the intifada is the only language the Israelis understand."

Nusseibeh agreed with Ayalon that the future was a uniting factor in negotiations. Nusseibeh's words dealt mostly with the problem of Palestinian refugees. "The entire problem arose with the question of refugees," Nusseibeh said. "This is the heart of the pain of the Palestinian problem."

Nusseibeh, who has faced opposition from his own people for being "too moderate," told the audience that the Palestinians must "look forward," being careful not to let memories of the past impede progress. "Dreaming about the past can sometimes prevent one from moving ahead into the future," Nusseibeh said. He put some of the blame on the Palestinian government for offering complaints rather than solutions. "In my opinion, the Palestinian leadership has not had the courage to say to these people that what is passed is passed," Nusseibeh said.

He also stressed that a Palestinian state "must be a state that has at its core the fundamental respect for the rights of human beings." Nusseibeh said that plans for statehood must be discussed publicly, since it was the future of the Palestinian people.

Meyer, who had experience with reconciling two peoples within one nation in his native South Africa, said that "it gives one hope to listen to the expressions from both sides" presented at the symposium. Still, Meyer had a grave assessment of the Middle East peace process following a trip to Israel in July 2000. "I hate to say this," Meyer told the audience, "but I don't see peace in this part of the world in our lifetime."

Agreeing that the two sides should concentrate on the future, Meyer said that they need to develop a trust that would lead to "ownership of an end result." Drawing from his experience, Meyer said that peace cannot come without leaderships that want peace. "Sometimes there has to be a change of leadership to make it possible," said Meyer.

The open discussion began with remarks from Babbitt, who said "recognition of interdependence" along with "tolerance of difference" and a "working trust" is necessary for peace within a divided community. Each side needs security in their own identity so the presence of the other isn't seen as a threat, Babbitt said. Men such as Nusseibeh and Ayalon "epitomized" those who "step forward and take a risk" for peace.