Charity outlines terms for solution to Middle East hostilities

A NEW report has set out a checklist to ensure a viable solution to the Middle East conflict.

The study, by charity Christian Aid, comes ahead of the 40th anniversary of the Six Day War, which saw Israel take control of East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank — and the Golan Heights.

The charity believes “continued failure to address viability will condemn further generations of Palestinians and Israelis to lives dominated by insecurity and uncertainty, and the current disastrous spiral of poverty and conflict will continue”.

The report says the Quartet of Middle East negotiators — the UN, EU, United States and Russia — “has repeatedly voiced its commitment to a viable Palestinian state, but has yet to define what this means”.

The charity defined viability as “the necessary conditions that allow sustainability and growth to flourish”.

The Christian Aid checklist includes:

An end to occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel, which the report calls the “bedrock” of a viable solution.

Self-determination and sovereignty, including the exercise of free political will for the Palestinian people.

Effective governance.

Protection of human rights of all citizens, Palestinian and Israeli.

Security for all.

Freedom of movement: “As long as Palestinians are prevented from entering East Jerusalem and have no free movement between the West Bank and Gaza Strip, economic and political viability will remain impossible.”

Ensuring legitimate control of natural resources for the benefit of the whole population.

Creating the conditions for growth and prosperity.

In addition, the process for a solution must be:

Guided by international law.

Impartial and

Hold both sides accountable for any breaches in human rights or international law, thus bringing an end to impunity.

And the study — compiled in consultation with the group’s Palestinian and Israeli partners, as well as experts from the region, Europe and the US — stresses that aid is not the solution to this conflict.

Co-author William Bell said: “Since the beginning of the Oslo peace process in 1993, the international community has provided some $10 billion in aid (to the Palestinian territories). Yet Palestinian poverty levels continue to rise, from 20% in 1998 to a staggering 65% today.”