Israelis and Palestinians

This I believe –Israelis and Palestinians

1. My purpose is to facilitate a mechanism for Israelis and Palestinians to resolve conflicts and grow into the future in a fair and equitable manner.

2. I believe that Israelis and Palestinians are entitled to live peacefully and enjoy freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and self-determination without the need to suppress or intimidate each other.

3. I believe that the Israelis and Palestinians have equal rights and aspirations, deserve equal legal protection, and are entitled to guaranteed human rights and freedoms.

4. I believe that the creation of a mutual confederation is not inconsistent with the unique and exclusive aspiration of either the Israelis or the Palestinians.

5. I reject any presumptions or preconceived notions that either Israelis or Palestinians are, by nature or education or any other method, predisposed to violence or the destruction of each other.

6. My intention is not to undermine the Israeli or Palestinian governments or any future agreements between those governments.

7. I believe that the principles stated above could be achieved through the facilities of a mutual confederation dedicated to fair representation of both groups and dedicated to achieve consensus through confederate principles

My name is Josef Avesar. In 2004 I have founded The Israeli-Palestinian Confederation. We are a non profit organization which concluded that it will be wiser and more productive to approach this conflict from a different perspective.

I was raised in Israel, following my Iraqi-Jewish family’s migration there. My family having lived amongst Arabs gives me an understanding and sensitivity to the Arab culture. I am in a unique position to consider both the Israeli and Palestinian viewpoints. In addition, being a lawyer makes me think in terms of justice—not for only one side, but for both sides in this case. The Confederation idea came to me as a new approach, a creative solution which, I feel, will break down the hate-barriers that have kept this region in a stalemate for so long.

I believe in the creation of a third, parallel, government–acting under both the Israeli and Palestinians governments in a legislative and sophisticated mediation capacity, can lead to a more subdued, objective, practical, reasonable, and peaceful solution to conflict. This government would be ongoing and permanent, not utilized just for violent conflict. It would address other common, more peaceful issues as well.

You could see more about our Confederation plan at www.aboutipc.org