A Vision for a
new Israel/Palestine
by Jimmy Carter
June 16
2009, Jimmy Carter spoke at a graduation ceremony in Gaza for the
United Nations Relief Works Agency. He envisions a new
Israel and Palestine: "The
Palestinian state, like the land, must be blessed for all
people.
Jerusalem must be shared with everyone who loves it - Christians, Jews,
and Muslims."
Director
of UNRWA operations John Ging,
thank you for inviting me to Gaza. Distinguished guests,
children of
Gaza, I am grateful for your warm reception.
I first visited
Gaza 36 years ago and returned during the 1980s and later for the very
successful Palestinian elections. Although under occupation,
this
community was relatively peaceful and prosperous. Now, the
aftermath
of bombs, missiles, tanks, bulldozers and the continuing economic siege
have brought death, destruction, pain, and suffering to the people
here. Tragically, the international community largely ignores
the
cries for help, while the citizens of Gaza are being treated more like
animals than human beings.
Last week, a group of Israelis and
Americans tried to cross into Gaza through Erez, bringing toys and
children's playground equipment – slides, swings, kites, and magic
castles for your children. They were stopped at the gate and
prevented
from coming. I understand even paper and crayons are treated
as
"security hazards" and not permitted to enter Gaza. I sought
an
explanation for this policy in Israel, but did not receive a
satisfactory answer – because there is none.
The responsibility
for this terrible human rights crime lies in Jerusalem, Cairo,
Washington, and throughout the international community. This
abuse
must cease; the crimes must be investigated; the
walls must be
brought down, and the basic right of freedom must come to you.
Almost
one-half of Gaza's 1.5 million people are children, whose lives are
being shaped by poverty, hunger, violence, and despair. More
than
50,000 families had their homes destroyed or damaged in January, and
parents are in mourning for the 313 innocent children who were killed.
The
situation in Gaza is grim, but all hope is not lost. Amidst
adversity,
you continue to possess both dignity and determination to work towards
a brighter tomorrow. That is why educating children is so
important.
I
have come to Gaza to help the world know what important work you are
doing. UNRWA is here to ensure that the 200,000 children in
its
schools can develop their talent, express their dynamism, and help
create the path to a better future.
The human rights curriculum
is teaching children about their rights and also about their
responsibilities. UNRWA is teaching about the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and the struggle for these rights all over
the world,
Gaza's children are learning that as you seek justice for yourselves,
you must be sure that your behavior provides justice for others.
They
are learning that it is wrong to fire rockets that may kill Israeli
children. They are learning that arbitrary detention and the
summary
execution of political opponents is not acceptable. They are
learning
that the rule of law must be honored here in Gaza.
I would like
to congratulate both UNRWA and the children who have completed the
human rights curriculum with distinction. They are tomorrow's
leaders.
In
addition to the tragedy of occupation, the lack of unity among
Palestinians is causing a deteriorating atmosphere here in Gaza, in
Ramallah, and throughout the West Bank.
Palestinians want more
than just to survive. They hope to lead the Arab world, to be
a bridge
between modern political life and traditions that date back to the
Biblical era. The nation you will create must be pluralistic
and
democratic - the new Palestine that your intellectuals have dreamt
about. Palestine must combine the best of the East and the
West. The
Palestinian state, like the land, must be blessed for all
people.
Jerusalem must be shared with everyone who loves it - Christians, Jews,
and Muslims.
With our new leaders in Washington, my country will
move into the forefront of this birth of a new Palestine We
were all
reminded of this renewed hope and commitment by President Obama's
recent speech in Cairo.
President Obama's resolve to resume the
Israeli-Palestinian diplomatic process based on the principle of two
states for two peoples must be welcomed. This vision of two
sovereign
nations living as neighbors is not a mere convenient phrase.
It is the
basis for a lasting peace for this entire region, including Syria and
Lebanon.
We all know that a necessary step is the ending of the
siege of Gaza – the starving of 1 ½ million people of the necessities
of life. Never before in history has a large community been
savaged by
bombs and missiles and then deprived of the means to repair
itself.
The issue of who controls Gaza is not an obstacle. As the
World Bank
has pointed out, funds can be channeled through a number of independent
mechanisms and effective implementing agencies.
Although funds
are available, not a sack of cement nor a piece of lumber has been
permitted to enter the closed gates from Israel and Egypt. I
have seen
with my own eyes that progress is negligible.
My country and our
friends in Europe must do all that is necessary to persuade Israel and
Egypt to allow basic materials into Gaza. At the same time,
there must
be no more rockets and mortar shells falling on Israeli citizens.
I
met this week with the parents of Corporal Gilad Shalit, and have with
me a letter that I hope can be delivered to their son. I have
also met
with many Palestinians who plead for the freedom of their 11,700 loved
ones imprisoned by the Israelis, including 400 women and
children.
Many of them have been imprisoned for many years, held without trial,
with no access to their families or to legal counsel.
Rational
negotiations and a comprehensive peace can end this suffering on both
sides.
I know it is difficult now, surrounded by terrible
destruction, to see a future of independence and dignity in a
Palestinian state, but this goal can and must be achieved. I
know too
that it is hard for you to accept Israel and live in peace with those
who have caused your suffering. However, Palestinian
statehood cannot
come at the expense of Israel's security, just as Israel's security can
not come at the expense of Palestinian statehood.
In his speech
in Cairo, President Obama said that Hamas has support among
Palestinians, but they also have responsibilities. To play a full role
in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, to unify the Palestinian people,
Hamas must put an end to violence, accept existing peace agreements,
and recognize Israel's right to exist.
I have urged Hamas
leaders to accept these conditions, and they have made statements and
taken actions that suggest they are ready to join the peace process and
move toward the creation of an independent and just Palestinian state.
Khaled
Mashaal has assured me that Hamas will accept a final status agreement
negotiated by the Palestinian Authority and Israel if the Palestinian
people approve it in a referendum. Hamas has offered a
reciprocal
ceasefire with Israel throughout the West Bank and Gaza. Unfortunately,
neither the Israeli leaders nor Hamas accept the terms of the Oslo
Agreement of 1993, but the Arab Peace Initiative is being considered
now by all sides.
I have personally witnessed free and fair
elections in Palestine when Yasir Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas were elected
president and when legislative members were chosen for your
parliament. I hope to return next January for a similar event
that
will unite all Palestinians as you seek a proud and peaceful future.
Ladies
and gentlemen, children of Gaza, thank you for inviting me and for
sharing this happy occasion with me. Congratulations for your
achievements.
June 16, 2009
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Jimmy
Carter
Jimmy
Carter was the 39th President of the USA and is founder of ' The
Carter Centre' :
Waging
Peace, Fighting Disease, and Bulding
Hope
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