On June 19-21, the Geneva Initiative held a joint seminar in Jordan for Israeli and Palestinian parliamentary assistants and advisers to ministers.

19-21.06.2009

On June 19-21, the Geneva Initiative held a joint seminar in Jordan for Israeli and Palestinian parliamentary assistants and advisers to ministers. For many of the participants, this was the first-time encounter with those on the other side. The meeting provided the groups with an opportunity for constructive dialogue.

The group consisted of 9 Israeli participants, the majority of which were from the Likud party, and 10 Palestinian representatives. The seminar included lectures from Brigadier General (Ret.) Israela Oron, former Deputy National Security Advisor at the NSC and Mr. Hani Al-Masri, Sr. Publicist for Alayam, Founder and Director of Bada’el, and member of the Palestine-Israel Journal Board. Oron discussed the need for young leaders to focus on the future. The lecturers and participants also discussed the Israeli Prime Minister's recent speech which included many of the principles that are in the Geneva Accord.

Participants indicated that the seminar had influenced their positions on several key issues. Israeli participants said that the seminar allowed them to see the Palestinian viewpoint and gave them greater understanding of the Palestinian narrative. Both groups said they received information that they have not heard before and indicated that they left the seminar with a greater understanding of the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the peace process.

This activity is part of a continued project in which GI reaches out to young leaders. It is a cooperation between GI and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.

Participants in the seminar