Israel's Labor, Meretz parties agree to sharing Jerusalem with Palestinians
Palestine-Israel, Politics, 6/1/2002

The Israeli Labor and Meretz parties voted for a resolution of the council of the Socialist International, currently held in Casablanca, backing Jerusalem as capital for the Palestinian and Israeli States, and calling for a "fair settlement" to the refugees issue.

"The major elements of a final settlement are clear: the implementation of Security Council resolution 242, the establishment of a Palestinian state besides Israel, the two states will have Jerusalem as their capital, besides a fair settlement to the refugees problem," says the resolution unanimously passed by the SI on Friday.

Under the resolution, the two Israeli parties and the Palestinian Fatah Movement, agreed that the mutual recognition of the state of Israel and the state of Palestine "should be the initial commitment before the start of any negotiations between the two peoples."

Commenting the resolution, SI President, Antonio Guterres, said the text "is a historic step that paves the way for hope."

"The Palestinian Fatah Movement and the Israeli Labor and Meretz parties agreed that a mutual recognition of a Palestinian and an Israeli state is not an objective but rather a starting point to settle the (Middle-East) issue," Guterres said Friday shortly after the adoption of the resolution by his organization.

Peace in the region is possible and is necessary, he said, adding that violence brings violence.

The great challenge now posed is to how to come out of this tragedy and re-build trust, he said, calling for an immediate resumption of negotiations to reach a final solution, based on international legality and the implementation of Security Council resolution 242, on the existence of two states with Jerusalem as their capital and on a faire settlement of the refugees issue.

The SI resolution calls for immediate negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis to settle all pending issues. A cease-fire cannot be a requisite for the start of discussions, the resolution reads.

Some 141 delegates are studying areas of great international concern, including the Middle East, the Great Lakes Region of Africa, Central and South Asia and Colombia. Representatives of member parties from the respective areas will address the participants.

The Council, hosted by the Moroccan Socialist Union of Popular Forces, USFP, will also discuss the theme "From Monterrey to Johannesburg," considering the elements of improving world governance, ensuring sustainable development, promoting economic growth, and supporting the New Partnership for Africa's Development.

Previous Stories:
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