|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 21 November 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Israeli peace activist on Lankan situation : Narrow gaps to achieve peace
AMI NAHSHON, Executive Director, Abraham Fund, Israel, who was in Sri Lanka to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Foundation for Peace, in an exclusive interview with Sunday Observer Staffer M. P. MUTTIAH says that narrowing gaps between divided societies is essential to bring a peace process to success. Answering a question on how his organisation was working, Nahshon, Executive Director, Abraham Fund, Israel, said that concentration was on the peace and security areas. The priority was to create local leadership among Arab and Jewish communities in Israel. This would help each community to have leaders who were committed to co-existence and equality. "Second importance is given to the education of children in these communities, creating changes in the media perceptions of the majority and minority communities, fostering cultural understanding and amity, democratic pluralism and respect for the others among the population. The result of these efforts among public sector, government and media proved to be beneficial," he said. Nahshon said Jews and Arabs were different people who occupied that soil for various reasons and had a bitter historical past. They blamed each other for their concerns and grievances. "I firmly believe that people have to learn to understand each other, then they would work together to create a common future, and build a society with equal opportunities.' He said that enormous work had to be done among Arabs in the education, economy, health and other fields of social indicators, as they were the most challenging. Narrowing the gap was an important goal so as to provide opportunities to minority communities.' "Jewish and Palestinian nationalism is deep-rooted. However, times are changing. Regional "We have to think in new terms. We have to stop arguing who has more rights and who suffered more. Instead, engage in a discussion as to how we could create a region that we commonly share equally with equal opportunities. "It is the only foundation on which Jews and Palestinians can build their future society," Nahshon added. Referring to the Camp David Accord between Yasser Arafat and Ehud Barak during Clinton's administration, he said there was a beginning that was not fully utilised. "Today, even with suicide bombings and violence, a large majority of Israelis are prepared to share Jerusalem. Courageous "Some ten years ago it would have been unimaginable. "Today, a majority of Israelis support the notion of a Palestinian State. As Bill Clinton said, the Jerusalem issue could be solved if leaders of both sides had the courage to take bold decisions. "In any conflict, no sides can achieve hundred per cent success. Both sides should meet half-way. This is the reality and that should be understood by parties to the conflict," Nahshon said. Commenting on the new leadership of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation after the demise of Chairman Yasser Arafat, Nahshon said it should take necessary actions to curtail violence and suicide bombings. "This is a tremendous opportunity to peace. "The window for peace is opening up and the Israeli Prime Minister also would have to open a new page, and the peace is achievable,' he added. Answering a question on George W. Bush" vow that he would establish a Palestinian State within four years, Nahshon said that more than eight per cent of Israelis support a Palestinian State, and to achieve that confidence was a necessary condition. The core issue of the Israelis were security and peace. Responding to a question on the building of a wall dividing Israeli and Palestinian communities, Nahshon said that it had reduced the infiltration of suicide bombers and others. However, he said, many Israelis were of the opinion that the wall was not the ideal solution. He expressed the hope that with the establishment of peace, the wall would shatter as the Berlin Wall. Conflicts Answering a question on Prime Minister Aeriel Sharon's past deeds, he said that peace had to be made with enemies and not with friends. Commenting on the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, he said there were similarities and dissimilarities between the Mideast conflict and the Sri Lankan problem. He said people should be educated on the peace process and the benefits it would bring to both the communities. Building a shared leadership between the two communities could play an important role in this respect. Multi-ethnic societies, such as in Sri Lanka, should take into account each other's problems. As I said earlier, it is necessary to narrow the gaps in education, economy and other fields, that would ease the burden of the political leadership in finding a solution. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
