In October 2009, Geneva Initiative commissioned a public opinion poll on a representative sample of the Israeli public regarding the peace process and the current government’s performance.
With respect to the Geneva Initiative, the majority of the Israeli public (56%) supports an endgame agreement along the Geneva Accord principles; however, as in the past the majority of Israelis (55%) does not believe that such an agreement is possible.
It is important to remember that the Geneva Initiative is the result of work by both Palestinians and Israelis committed to a middle way–no ifs, no buts, but coming to an agreement.
The summary of the accords includes:
Accord principles:
* End of conflict. End of all claims.
* Mutual recognition of Israeli and Palestinian right to two separate states.
* A final, agreed upon border.
* A comprehensive solution to the refugee problem.
* Large settlement blocks and most of the settlers are annexed to Israel, as part of a 1:1 land swap.
* Recognition of the Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and recognition of the Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.
* A demilitarized Palestinian state.
* A comprehensive and complete Palestinian commitment to fighting terrorism and incitement.
* An international verification group to oversee implementation.
Description
The Geneva Accord is a model permanent status agreement between the State of Israel and the State of Palestine.
The accord presents a comprehensive and unequivocal solution to all issues vital to ensuring the end of the conflict. Adopting the agreement and implementing it would bring about a solution to the historical conflict, a new chapter in Israeli-Palestinian relations, and, most importantly, the realization of the national visions of both parties. The extensive documentation that has been developed is necessary reading. The ideas in the documents allow us to rise beyond the day to day fray and avoidance tactics, to look to a solution.
Summary.
1. Mutual recognition:
As part of the accord, the Palestinians recognize the right of the Jewish people to their own state and recognize the State of Israel as their national home. Conversely, the Israelis recognize the Palestinian state as the national home of the Palestinian people.
2. Borders and settlements:
* The border marked on a detailed map is final and indisputable.
* According to the accord and maps, the extended borders of the State of Israel will include Jewish settlements currently beyond the Green Line, Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, and territories with significance for security surrounding Ben Gurion International Airport. These territories will be annexed to Israel on agreement and will become inseparable from it.
* In return to the annexation of land beyond the 1967 border, Israel will hand over alternative land to the Palestinian, based on a 1:1 ratio. The lands annexed to the Palestinian State will be of equal quality and quantity.
3. Jerusalem:
* The parties shall have their mutually recognized capitals in the areas of Jerusalem under their respective sovereignty.
* The Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem will be under Israeli sovereignty, and the Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem will be under Palestinian sovereignty.
* The parties will commit to safeguarding the character, holiness, and freedom of worship in the city.
* The parties view the Old City as one whole enjoying a unique character. Movement within the Old City shall be free and unimpeded subject to the provisions of this article and rules and regulations pertaining to the various holy sites.
* There shall be no digging, excavation, or construction on al-Haram al-Sharif / the Temple Mount, unless approved by the two parties.
* A visible color-coding scheme shall be used in the Old City to denote the sovereign areas of the respective Parties.
* Palestinian Jerusalemites who currently are permanent residents of Israel shall lose this status upon the transfer of authority to Palestine of those areas in which they reside.
4. International Supervision:
An Implementation and Verification Group (IVG) shall be established to facilitate, assist in, guarantee, monitor, and resolve disputes relating to the implementation of the agreement. As part of the IVG, a Multinational Force (MF) shall be established to provide security guarantees to the parties. To perform the functions specified in this agreement, the MF shall be deployed in the state of Palestine.
5. Refugees:
The agreement provides for the permanent and complete resolution of the Palestinian refugee problem, under which refugees will be entitled to compensation for their refugee status and for loss of property, and will have the right to return to the State of Palestine. The refugees could also elect to remain in their present host countries, or relocate to third countries, among them Israel, at the sovereign discretion of third countries.
6. Security:
Palestine and Israel shall each recognize and respect the other’s right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from the threat or acts of war, terrorism and violence. Both sides shall prevent the formation of irregular forces or armed bands, and combat terrorism and incitement. Palestine shall be a non-militarized state, with a strong security force.