Joint efforts to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks
- By Gong Yingchun
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E-mail China.org.cn, June 19, 2013
Delegates from around the world gathered Tuesday in Beijing in a bid to revive efforts for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
![Abdou Salam Diallo(C), Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People; Bassam Al-Salhi(R), Secretary-General of the Palestinian People's Party and Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council; Riyad Mansour(L), Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN, at the press conference of the United Nations International Meeting in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace in Beijing on Tuesday afternoon. [Gong Yingchun/China.org.cn]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20130619/000cf1bdd03f132b9fd008.jpg "Abdou Salam Diallo(C), Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People; Bassam Al-Salhi(R), Secretary-General of the Palestinian People's Party and Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council; Riyad Mansour(L), Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN, at the press conference of the United Nations International Meeting in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace in Beijing on Tuesday afternoon. [Gong Yingchun/China.org.cn]") |
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Abdou Salam Diallo(C), Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People; Bassam Al-Salhi(R), Secretary-General of the Palestinian People's Party and Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council; Riyad Mansour(L), Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN, at the press conference of the United Nations International Meeting in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace in Beijing on Tuesday afternoon. [Gong Yingchun/China.org.cn] |
Dozens of government representatives, academics and regional experts attended the two-day United Nations International Meeting in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace.
The meeting was jointly hosted by the Chinese government and the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.
In a letter addressed to the opening ceremony of the conference, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wrote that resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a matter of urgency.
Ban said that he was encouraged by Arab leaders' recent commitments to revive the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative and its promise of "regional stability." Ban encouraged the Israeli government to "respond positively" to the offer.
"Achieving a negotiated two-state solution that ends the occupation started in 1967 in line with Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 and resolves the core issues is long overdue," said Ban. "I cannot stress enough the risks of missing the current window of opportunity. It is imperative that everyone in the international community work collectively to make 2013 a positive year for Israeli-Palestinian peace and peace in the whole region."
In his keynote address, Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, voiced a similar hope that, with the decisive momentum of the United States and support of the international community, the parties would demonstrate the necessary vision and political courage to overcome decades of mistrust and conflict, and engage in meaningful negotiations to achieve the two-state solution.
He also pointed out that providing a credible diplomatic horizon needed the concerted action and support of the international community and key regional stakeholders.
"It might be true that it is the last chance, but the United Nations believe we have no other choice than keep trying," said Fernandez-Taranco.
Ma Zhaoxu, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, a representative of the meeting's host country, emphasized the importance of the Palestinian issue, saying that it is fundamental to peace both in the Middle East and around the world. "To realize peace between Palestine and Israel according to the 'two-state solution' is the expectation of people across this region and the international community."
Ma also reiterated China's firm support of Palestine and of the peace process. "We support the establishment of an independent state of Palestine enjoying full sovereignty on the basis of the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, the realization of peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel through peace talks and enhanced peace and stability in the Middle East," said Ma .
In his speech, Abdou Salam Diallo, Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, said that the meeting might be called a "salvaging" of the two-state solution. The two-state solution, he said, "had become a victim of ever expanding illegal settlements, public disillusionment, international community's impotence, intractable domestic politics, and a changing regional environment."
Diallo too stressed the urgency of the meeting. "A collective push is needed to remove obstacles, support peace talks, coordinate initiatives, rebuild confidence and increase assistance to the Palestinians."
Diallo commended China for its historical support of the Palestinian people, emphasizing China's position to influence the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. China's influence over international affairs, permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council and good relationships with both Israel and Palestine uniquely enable China to lead negotiations, Diallo said.
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