November 26, 2007, Annapolis — In the lead up to Annapolis, skepticism has abounded, and not without reason. After so many failed efforts and accords, what will make this time any different? However well-founded these fears might be, we have before us an opportunity. This is the first time in over 15 years that the vast majority of Arab countries are participating in a regional effort to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; this is the first time in 7 years that the Israeli and Palestinian Heads of State are poised to re-launch formal and systematic negotiations.
As the leaders gather to try to take a step forward in negotiating a resolution, we – ordinary Israelis, Palestinians, and international citizens – have a role to play. We need to ensure that Annapolis is not a one-time only photo opportunity. Rather, it should be the initiation of a systematic, serious, ongoing, and uninterrupted process with professional negotiations teams committed exclusively to reaching a mutually-acceptable two state agreement. The agreement must guarantee a viable, independent Palestinian state within the context of a permanent peace agreement with Israel. We do not expect the leaders to leave Annapolis with all the answers, or with a finalized agreement. But we are here to demand that they leave with a process in place to continue negotiations until they do.
We have a rare window of opportunity. While majorities on both sides still overwhelmingly support negotiations towards a two state solution, the numbers opposing are going up steadily, and will eventually surpass moderate voices if no tangible progress is made. The leaders are coming to the table; the opportunity must be seized. Failure is not an option.
What are we hoping to come out of Annapolis? Many are trying to lower expectations about Annapolis. We see Annapolis as an important first step in a process that needs serious, continuous political and grassroots involvement to be successful. It is imperative that the leaders commit to an ongoing process to develop an agreement that will be acceptable to both sides.
Background on OneVoice
OneVoice is a non-partisan, grassroots movement of 300,000 Israelis and 300,000 Palestinians who, having signed the OneVoice Mandate, stand in support of an end to the conflict through a negotiated two state solution. The organization was founded six years ago in the collapse of the Oslo negotiations process and the outbreak of violence on both sides, with an aim to giving ordinary citizens the tools to seize back the agenda for conflict resolution.
By September 2007, when US Secretary of State Rice announced a Mideast summit would be organized, over half a million citizens had joined the movement, which has since grown to 620,000. OneVoice has sent a delegation of activists, youth leaders, and executive directors to Annapolis, on behalf of the hundreds of thousands who OneVoice represents, to demand immediate negotiations, uninterrupted till the conclusion of a two state agreement, no later than a year from now.