On Friday, June 12th, a joint Israeli-Palestinian Geneva Initiative meeting took place between 40 Israeli immigrants from former Soviet countries and Russian-speaking Palestinians.

Date: 12.06.2009

On 12.6.09, a joint Israeli-Palestinian Geneva Initiative meeting occurred in Jerusalem for 40 Israeli immigrants from former Soviet countries and Russian-speaking Palestinians. The meeting provided the two groups with an opportunity for group discussion as well as a panel discussion about the Geneva Initiative. Participants of the panel included MK Robert Tiviaev (Kadima), Dr. Samih al-Abed (former Minister of Housing and Public Works and member in the Palestinian negotiation team), and Dr. Menahem Klein (GI Signatory, Political Science department in Bar-Ilan University).

Kadima MK, Robert Tiviaev said that the key to a normal life in the Middle East is a two-state solution. He also recommended that everyone learn about the model of the Geneva Initiative and distribute it to their family and friends. Dr. Samih al-Abed said that although the Geneva Initiative model does not answer all the demands of the two sides, it creates a structure between the sides that can be the basis for a final status agreement. Finally, Dr. Menahem Klein mentioned that the Geneva Initiative is the only detailed model for a permanent status agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians.
 

Russian-speaking participants in the meeting

The panelists from the meeting are (from left to right): Dr. Menahem Klein, Dr. Samih al-Abed,

and Kadima MK, Robert Tiviaev.