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On February 14^th, the Geneva Initiative held a conference in Tel Aviv in order to discuss the Saudi Initiative and the Mecca Agreement from the perspectives of the Israeli government, the opposition and the Palestinian side.

 

 

The conference which was opened by Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Israel, Ambassador Ramiro Cibrian-Uzal, was attended by over 250 people among them heads of various organizations, local leaders, academicians and journalists.

The audience was addressed by Minister of Construction and Housing Meir Sheetrit, Former PA Minister Kadoura Fares, and MKs Colette Avital (Labor) and Yossi Beilin (Meretz).

 

Ambassador Ramiro Cibrian-Uzal Kadoura Fares and Minister Meir Sheetrit

 

Minister Sheetrit stated that the political platform of Kadima clearly states that the party is obligated to negotiate the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with the Palestinians. Minister Sheetrit said that under the current circumstances, Israel has an excellent opportunity to make peace with the moderate Arab countries, on the basis of the Saudi Initiative.

 

Former PA Minister Kaddoura Fares mentioned that Hamas will give Abbas the mandate to negotiate with Israel regarding the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders and on solving the refugee problem in accordance with UN Resolution 194.

 

 

MK Yossi Beilin called the Israeli government to wake up from its sleep and to pursue practical steps towards promoting what the Government has already agreed upon: a withdrawal to the 1967 borders, with land swaps.

In reference to the Saudi Initiative, MK Colette Avital stated that the Israeli government must stop dismissing the various peace initiatives, and should try to understand the opportunity which underlies the parameters of the plan.

The conference received extensive press coverage by both Israeli and foreign press. Some of the articles which have been translated into English appear in the links' section at the top of this page .