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The Elders applaud Palestinian unity agreement
an article by The Elders
The Elders welcome the reconciliation agreement
signed in Gaza on 23 April by Hamas and Fatah
representatives. Since 2007, the Fatah-Hamas
division has been the source of a rift between the
West Bank and Gaza, making a viable peace between
Israelis and Palestinians more challenging.
A delegation of Elders met with US Secretary of State John Kerry. Left to right: John Kerry, Ernesto Zedillo, Lakhdar Brahimi, Jimmy Carter
click on photo to enlarge
The parties have agreed to form within five weeks an
interim, technocratic Palestinian National Authority
government and six months thereafter prepare for
presidential and legislative elections in Palestine.
Jimmy Carter, former US President, said:
“I commend the Palestinians for having secured
this agreement, and I urge all parties to
implement it swiftly, and in good faith. Any
remaining differences must be resolved peacefully.
When the Palestinians elect a new leadership –
provided the elections are conducted in accordance
with international standards – I strongly urge the
international community to respect the democratic
choices of the Palestinian people.”
Kofi Annan, Chair of The Elders and former UN
Secretary-General, said:
“Palestinian reconciliation should not be seen as
undermining prospects for a negotiated two-state
solution. On the contrary, any lasting peace with
Israel will have to be predicated on a peace
agreement with a unified and democratic
Palestinian government exercising its authority in
both the West Bank and Gaza.”
The Elders support US Secretary of State John
Kerry’s energetic efforts to assist the Israelis and
Palestinians towards a just peace agreement. Any
remaining differences towards this goal must be
resolved peacefully.
Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and
former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, added:
“I believe the Palestinians’ adherence to
international conventions and treaties, and their
membership in UN institutions is the best assurance
of the peaceful pursuit of Palestinian rights under
international law.”
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DISCUSSION
Question(s) related to this article:
How can a culture of peace be established in the Middle East?,
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LATEST READER COMMENT:
Here is another view of the Hamas/Fatah agreement, sent to CPNN by the Palestinian peace activist, Mazin Qumsiyeh:
People asked me about the latest "reconciliation" agreement between Fatah and Hamas. Most Palestinians here are skeptical of the sincerity of leadership in Fatah and Hamas and most still think these leaders are driven by narrow factional and personal interests than by interest of Palestine; noticeably absent was the popular Front For the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the largest secular faction after Fatah. Women leaders also complained about the exclusion of women voices and youth were also absent as most of those politicians are my age or older. In my talks (and I give several every week to visiting delegations and local people), I emphasize that people must wake up and push politicians to do the right thing. That is how history changes: via people especially youth and women. Of course, many wish that politicians show some leadership for positive change but we the people have to act. Meanwhile, we have an ongoing slow genocide of the Palestinian people. 7.4 million are refugees/displaced people and that number keeps growing. . ...more.
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