Haaretz March 8, 2007
Those participating in the Economic Forum in Davos will witness a special event. The Vice Premier, Shimon Peres, the Minister of Foreign Affaris, Tzipi Livni and the head of the Palestinian Authoritiy, Mahmoud Abbas, will participate in a panel on the conflict in the Middle East, led by the President of the conference, Professor Klaus Schwab. There?s nothing new in a meeting of political figures, but this time they?re not going to debate, or read speeches, or preach their manifestos ? they will sit and listen.
Those speaking will be young Israelis and Palestinian who will present their vision to end the conflict and the future of the region to the leaders. The leaders will watch video messages recorded in meetings arranged by the OneVoice movement in Ramallah, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem, attended by hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians.
The economic forum represents those who have the power to make agreements that will end the conflict to business people, who can bring the benefits of a peaceful resolution to Israelis and Palestinians. Economic growth will allow more funding to education, ending unemployment, and increasing purchasing power and research budgets. Ending the conflict must come first. Growth of four to 5 percent, which is what Israel reaches during war years is impressive considering the situation but is far from the Israeli potential.
The business people at the forum are part of the civil society that has to demand from the leader progress towards ending the conflict. The young people featured in the short clip are the scientists and high-tech employees of the future. Those sitting watching the clips are their future employers. While business will continue despite the war, without the burden of the conflict Israel could return to export knowledge and raise investments.
The French Prime Minister during the First World War, George Clemenso, said that ?what is too important to leave to generals alone.? The Panel in Davos is designed to remind to the leaders that negotiations is not just another task on their daily to-do list, but a personal commitment to each of the 10 million Israelis and Palestinians who elected them.