Paralysis Over Palestine: Questions of Strategy
Jeff Halper, an anthropologist and coordinator of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD; www.icahd.org), part of Israel's critical peace movement, has published "Paralysis over Palestine: Questions of Strategy" in the Winter 2005 issue of the Journal of Palestine Studies.
(PRWEB) March 16, 2005 -- The death of Yasir Arafat and election of Mahmud Abbas as president of the Palestinian Authority have revived prospects for a negotiated settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but the difficult issues of occupation, security, borders, refugees, settlements, and Jerusalem remain to be resolved. The fresh start offered by Abbas's election also presents new opportunities for international supporters of a negotiated, peaceful settlement to reinforce and encourage the peace process.
In a new article from the Journal of Palestine Studies (JPS), Jeff Halper offers searching reflections on appropriate strategies for the international peace movement.
A middle range approach that generates a proactive strategy of advocacy has the potential to become a global movement akin to the anti-apartheid struggle. Under Palestinian guidance, but in coordination with the Israeli peace movement and international activists, such a movement must provide direction, effective forums for strategizing, reframing and the formulation of focused and strategic campaigns. It must impart a vision, principles, red lines, and alternative scenarios. These are critical steps at this historical moment. As the old slogan has it: ‘When the people lead, the leaders follow."-- Jeff Halper
Intended as a starting point for debate, this essay explores the possibilities of a "middle range" strategy that would articulate the essential red line" elements crucial to any just and sustainable settlement, provide a coordinated strategy of advocacy, and explore a range of endgames," including a regional approach to resolving the conflict if the two-state solution" is found to be impossible because of irreversible "facts on the ground."
Anyone concerned with the just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should consider these thoughtful and necessary new approaches by one of Israel's most courageous peace activists.
To preview or purchase the full text of Halper's "Paralysis over Palestine" visit http://caliber.ucpress.net/doi/abs/10.1525/jps.2005.34.2.055 or for further information contact JPS Managing Editor Michele Esposito at 202-342-3990 ext. 16.
About the Journal of Palestine Studies
http://www.californiajournals.com/jps/
For over thirty years, the Journal of Palestine Studies has continued to bring readers timely and comprehensive information on the regions political, religious, and cultural concerns. With an emphasis on peaceful resolution of conflict, the journal unites sound research and analysis with a variety of well-informed perspectives by academics, policymakers, and diplomats.
About The Institute for Palestine Studies
http://www.palestine-studies.org/
The Institute for Palestine Studies (IPS) is a private, nonprofit Arab institute unaffiliated with any political organization or government. Established in 1963 in Beirut, IPS promotes research, analysis, and documentation on the Arab-Israeli conflict and its peaceful resolution. IPS publishes quarterlies in three languages and maintains offices in Beirut, Paris, London, Nicosia, Jerusalem, and Washington.
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