Middle East Times report on the meeting

On Wednesday, September 24th, about 30 senior Israeli and Palestinian journalists met at the Ambassador Hotel in Jerusalem for a gathering and discussion organized by Geneva Initiative. The event was a follow-up activity to our previous seminars with journalists, aimed at maintaing our ongoing ties with this important constituency.

About 30 Israeli and Palestinian journalists attended the gathering, which consisted of an open discussion moderated by Geneva Initiative-PPC Director General Nidal Foqaha and Geneva Initiative-Israel representative Rubi Alfi-Nissan.

The journalists at the gathering represented major media outlets from both sides. Israeli media outlets included the Yediot Aharonot daily, Walla! internet news, Channel 2 News, Israel Radio, and Army Radio, among others. Palestinian media outlets included the Al-Ayam and Al-Hayat al-Jadida dailies, Reuters, AP, and the MA'AN news agency.

Former Palestinian Minister Qadura Fares also participated in the gathering, and warned that the Palestinian public was losing hope in the two-state solution. Nonetheless, he warned that the option of a one-state solution is an illusion that could lead to a religion-based conflict between Jews and Muslims. Fares also expressed his doubts that there could be substantial progress in the current round of peace talks between the sides, as neither side is convinced the talks are serious. He stressed that without a peaceful solution, the Palestinian people would be forced to find other means of struggle for independence. He added that settlers constitute one of the most major obstacles to peace.

The journalists from both sides welcomed the opportunity to meet their colleagues from the other side of the conflict, and presented their views on the current situation and where it could lead.