Choosing Settlements Over Peace
West Bank Settlement Construction since Annapolis with Hagit Ofran
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Daniel Levy
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American Strategy Program, Middle East Policy Initiative
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On April 14, the New America Foundation’s Middle East Policy Initiative and the Foundation for Middle East Peace came together to discuss the continued construction of Israeli settlements and its impact on the peace process. Daniel Levy, Director of the Middle East Policy Initiative moderated the event. Hagit Ofran, director of Peace Now's Settlement Watch project presented her findings on Israeli settlement activity. Ambassador Phil Wilcox, president of the foundation for Middle East Peace was on hand to participate in the discussion.
To begin her presentation, Ms. Ofran stated that Israel’s continued settlement of occupied territory is “devastating for peace.” Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory were officially ceased in 1996 as part of an interim peace agreement between Israel and Palestine; however, Ms. Ofran points out that while settlements are therefore illegal, they have continued with backing from the Israeli government. After briefly outlining the history of ownership and occupation in the West Bank and Gaza strip, Ms. Ofran claimed that a major obstacle to fully ceasing settlements is Israeli public opinion; most Israelis do not understand the West Bank is not officially part of Israel. As it was never annexed after the 1967 war, it is simply an occupied territory.
The fact that Israel has not only continued, but increased settlements since the Oslo accords creates great distrust among Palestinians. In the same sense, every time there is an attack on Israel from Palestinian entities, the peace process is set back. The time and political energy wasted on minor issues such as settlements and roadblocks distracts the involved parties from addressing the core issues of refugee status and creating a viable two-state solution.
Ms. Ofran concluded by stating that the Israeli public is ready to cease settlements and embrace a peace agreement, but the various political factions in Israel and the lingering distrust among Israelis are a speed bump on the road to peace.
- Faith Smith, Intern for the American Strategy Program
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To begin her presentation, Ms. Ofran stated that Israel’s continued settlement of occupied territory is “devastating for peace.” Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory were officially ceased in 1996 as part of an interim peace agreement between Israel and Palestine; however, Ms. Ofran points out that while settlements are therefore illegal, they have continued with backing from the Israeli government. After briefly outlining the history of ownership and occupation in the West Bank and Gaza strip, Ms. Ofran claimed that a major obstacle to fully ceasing settlements is Israeli public opinion; most Israelis do not understand the West Bank is not officially part of Israel. As it was never annexed after the 1967 war, it is simply an occupied territory.
The fact that Israel has not only continued, but increased settlements since the Oslo accords creates great distrust among Palestinians. In the same sense, every time there is an attack on Israel from Palestinian entities, the peace process is set back. The time and political energy wasted on minor issues such as settlements and roadblocks distracts the involved parties from addressing the core issues of refugee status and creating a viable two-state solution.
Ms. Ofran concluded by stating that the Israeli public is ready to cease settlements and embrace a peace agreement, but the various political factions in Israel and the lingering distrust among Israelis are a speed bump on the road to peace.
- Faith Smith, Intern for the American Strategy Program
04/14/2008 - 12:00pm
04/14/2008 - 1:30pm
New America Foundation
1630 Connecticut Ave, NW 7th Floor
Washington, 20009United States
Participants
Featured Speaker- Hagit Ofran
Director, Settlement Watch
Peace Now/Shalom Achshav (Israel)
- Phil Wilcox
President
Foundation for Middle East Peace
- Daniel Levy
Director, Middle East Policy Initiative
New America Foundation/The Century Foundation
