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SHARING JERUSALEM TWO CAPITALS FOR TWO STATES A WOMEN’S JOINT VENTURE FOR PEACE

ABSTRACT

The future of Jerusalem is at the core of the Palestinian - Israeli peace process. Jerusalem ( Al- Quds in Arabic, Yerushalyim in Hebrew ) is basic to the self- identity and needs of each side to the conflict . Jerusalem has become the most emotion- laden and seemingly intractable core element of the already extremely complicated process begun three years ago with the singing of the Oslo Declaration of Principles on 13 September , 1993 .

Multiple political, religions, cultural and emotional constrains in both the Israeli and Palestinians communities have hampered efforts at rational discussions on the future of Jerusalem and precluded interaction among the divers segments of the city's population . Yet without communication on this most sensitive of issue , it will be virtually impossible to present and explore alternative options for coexistence and resolution .

This is a proposal for enhancing cooperation among the varied sectors of the city , initiated by The Jerusalem Link , a Palestinian - Israeli women's joint venture for peace established in 1994 . A week - long series of cultural , political , religious and social events is planned for June 1997 in both parts of the city under the theme " Sharing Jerusalem : Two Capitals for Two States " . The planning , production , implementation and follow - up of this project will be conducted on cooperative basis .

The purpose of the broadest week of the events is to mobilize concerned Israelis and Palestinians and draw the attention of the domestic and international community to the urgency of addressing the future of Jerusalem in a way which recognizing the political and human rights of the residents of the city. Such as an approach establishes the conditions in which Palestinians and Israelis, Moslems, Jews and Christians, may live in peace in this city, which has a cultural, religious, economic, political and symbolic importance for its residents .

This project is rooted in the understandings agreed upon by the board of Jerusalem Link and ensconced The Jerusalem Link Declaration .

    We, Palestinian and Israeli women, united in a joint effort to bring about a just and lasting peace between our two people, affirm our communicate to working together, within the framework of the Jerusalem Link, for the rapid resolution common vision of peace, based on the following principals :

    1. recognition of the right to self- determination of both peoples in the land, through the creation of the Palestine State alongside Israel.

    2. The city of Jerusalem : Two capitals for two states .

    3. The Oslo Declaration of Principals, signed on September 13/1993, and all subsequent agreements, must be implemented in their entirety and should serve as the basis for negotiations of the permanent settlement .

    4. The permanent settlement negotiations must resume immediately, the terms of reference being UN resolutions, 242 and 338 and the Oslo agreements .

    5. The settlements and their ongoing expansion constitute a several impediment to peace

    6. Respect for international conventions ,and the active involvement of the international community in the peace process is crucial to its success.

    7. The realization of political peace will pave the way for mutual trust and good neighborly relations on the basis of equality and respect for the national and for human rights of each community .

    8. Women are central partners in the peace process - their involvement in negotiation and in government is critical to the fulfillment of an open and just peace .

    9. We women are opposed to the use of violence and are committed to the promotion of democratic norms and civil society for the realization of an enduring peace .

    We call on women and men in the region and elsewhere to join us in making our vision of peace and reality .

    The amount requested for this project is $ 1,001,500 for a period of one year commencing on 1st of January 1997. Proceeds of income from some of the events will be used to create a fund for ongoing activities and at maintaining communication between Israelis and Palestinians in the city ,and achieving a just solution to the Jerusalem conundrum based on equality and mutual respect .