Palestinian-Israeli groups call for new approach to peace

Advocates of a two-state solution to the Palestine-Israel conflict need to recognise the benefits from Israel's evacuation from Gaza and must work to strengthen the government of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

That was among the many messages offered in Chicago recently at a meeting hosted by Yalla Salam! (Palestinians for Peace Now) and Brit Tzedek v'Shalom (Jewish Alliance for Peace) and featuring two speakers, Daniel Levy, a former Israeli peace negotiator, and Rafi Dajani, executive director of the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP).

They also argued strongly that Palestinians and Jews in the United States must work together to strengthen the moderate voices.

One of the most important points made by Levy and Dajani is that the recent decision by Israel's rightwing-led government to withdraw from Gaza and dismantle colonies creates a precedent that will enhance future peace initiatives.

"The Gaza Plan is like a half empty or half full glass of water, depending on how you look at it," Levy explained to more than 45 people who attended the event.

"We have to try and create a discourse that says after Gaza, we will end the conflict," Levy said.

Dajani said the ATFP does not claim to be the voice representing all of the Palestinians in America.

However, their work focuses on implementing a new strategy of improved communications, messaging and contacts that can change how American politicians and the media view the conflict.

He argued that past efforts have failed.

"We have achieved nothing [over the past half century] in terms of achieving a Palestinian state. We must give this new approach a chance," Dajani said.

He said in meetings with members of Congress, often viewed as an unwavering bastion of pro-Israel supporters, they have argued that "they never hear from Palestinian constituents".

He said that the absence of accurate information results in a bias against Palestinians not only in congress and the political system, but also in the American media.

"There is no Arab army coming to liberate Palestine. We are not going to defeat the Israelis and drive them out. And the Israelis are not going to bomb the Palestinians into submission. They haven't done it in 50 years," Dajani said.

"The only solution out there and there is no other solution out there is the two-state solution" based more or less around the pre-1967 borders. "We are not against Israel. We are against the occupation."

Ray Hanania is an award winning nationally syndicated columnist and author based in Chicago.