Israel and Palestine
Solidarity address of Conny Reuter – Global Coordinator of Progressive Alliance at International Palestine Solidarity Day – 29 November 201
The Progressive Alliance, which was created in 2013 as the international global cooperation platform of social-democratic, socialist and progressive parties, hold its last Convention in Stockholm on November 15th 2019 where we expressed our strong opposition to unilateral steps that undermine the prospects of the two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Since then, the situation has not improved! (Euphemism)
We called on all parties to return to a path of peace and a life of freedom and security for all people in Israel and Palestine. But we have to state that there is rather regress than progress.
The international community should more actively work towards making the two-state solution possible, but Peace cannot come from outside, it must come from inside the societies. (cf. Franco-German example)
We believe the Two-State Solution is still the best possible option to realize self-determination for both peoples. But it should be up to Israelis and Palestinians to come up with a solution.
We notice that Palestinians are getting more and more frustrated and tired of waiting for a Two-State Solution and seeing their situation deteriorate in the meantime.
They are more and more asking for a rights-based approach, and rightly so. It is true that while looking for a conflict resolution sometimes in the future we should not ignore human rights violations today! And let us remind that human rights are indivisible!
As Progressive Alliance, we reject any unilateral annexation ; it undermines the prospects of the two-state solution. This process must be stopped !
In order for all people in Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security, an agreed-upon solution must end the occupation and allow for a vital Palestinian State.
The political divide between the Westbank and the Gaza Strip is a hindrance for achieving a negotiated peace with Israel.
We support the Palestinian leadership to call for a democratic process and establish a democratically elected leadership by holding free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections. This is matter of political credibility.
We call to end the blockade of the Gaza Strip that is causing a major humanitarian crisis.
We call to end all forms of violence by all sides.
We condemn the escalation and indiscriminate violence and attacks targeting civilians.
We call on all parties to keep and respect humanitarian values and allow Red Cross access to Palestinian prisoners and assist vulnerable people including Israeli missing persons in the Gaza Strip.
We ask all relevant actors to enable the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to fulfil its mandate as a humanitarian relief agency that provides services to millions of Palestinian refugees.
We stand in solidarity with all progressive forces in Israel, Palestine and the Middle East who seek peace and work towards a life of all people in freedom, justice and solidarity.
There is no alternative to dialogue as military means have shown the incapacity to achieve a long-lasting peace necessary for a sustainable development of Israel, Palestine and the region!
