On Tuesday, September 9th, Hof Ashkelon Regional Council Head Yair Farjoun hosted Geneva Initiative for a gathering with local community leaders.

Over 40 residents of towns that comprise the local council attended the gathering, including several former settlers who were evacuated from the Gaza Strip in 2005. Mr. Farjoun opened the event, explaining that its importance lies in the wllingness to convene and hear other views on solving the conflict.

Participants at the gathering heard a lecture by GI signatory Col. (res.) Shaul Arieli on key issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The lecture was followed by a discussion with Dr. Sufyan Abu Zaideh, former Palestinian Minister of Prisoner Affairs, who presented a Palestinian perspective and stressed the urgent need to push forward with negotiations over a two-state solution.