Attempts to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict either through a two-State arrangement or recognition of a government acceptable to both sides would succeed only if Israel upholds the Palestinians’ rights and eschew its “oppressive policies” involving military occupation of West Bank and control over Gaza. This was the consensus in a panel discussion on “The future of Palestine” at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF). Speakers said making stereotypes of Palestinians would defeat the spirit of the Oslo Accord of 1993, while admitting to the mistakes of the past would help strengthen the peace process. Palestinian lawyer-activist Raja Shehadeh, playwright David Hare, Palestinian-British writer Karl Sabbagh and president of Al-Quds University Sari Nusseibeh addressed the session that was moderated by JLF director William Dalrymple. The hour-long discussion at the regal Durbar Hall of Diggi Palace analysed various aspects of the wider Arab-Israeli conflict and addressed the key issues of mutual recognition, borders, security, water rights, control of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements, Palestinian freedom of movement and the high wall raised by Israel through the occupied West Bank.
Israel Must Eschew Its Oppressive Policies: Lit Fest
Attempts to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict either through a two-State arrangement or recognition of a government acceptable to both sides would succeed only if Israel upholds the Palestinians’ rights and eschew its “oppressive policies” involving military occupation of West Bank and control over Gaza.
