Sixty years have passed since the United Nations resolved to settle the Arab-Israeli conflict by creating two homelands for two peoples. The failure to achieve this two-state solution has meant decades of suffering for both peoples, yet the justness of this solution remains valid.
The two-state solution is the best way for Israelis and Palestinians to establish peace and security for themselves and for one another. The Annapolis conference is meant to revive this peace-making effort. It is a new beginning for a long-overdue process.
While no core issues or timetables are to be negotiated at Annapolis, the fundamental commitment to a peaceful solution will be re-established. This is to be followed by intensive talks on all outstanding issues, with the aim of finally putting an end to mutual suffering and beginning an era of mutual building.
In this regard, it is well to remember the guiding vision of "two states for two peoples" - a new Israeli-Palestinian reality in which two-nation states will exist side by side in peace and security.
Just as Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people, so Palestine will be established as the homeland and the embodiment of the national aspirations of the Palestinian people - wherever they may be.
The burden of solving the Israel-Palestinian issue lies with the parties, and the compromises which must be made in the negotiations ahead will be difficult and challenging.
Many complex core issues must be addressed, while at the same time, the situation on the ground cannot be ignored. For this reason, while negotiations on the shape of the two-state solution move forward, the actual implementation of the vision remains dependant upon fulfillment of the performance-based roadmap as accepted by the two sides.
In the first phase of this document, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has obligated itself to stop all terrorism against Israelis everywhere. For this reason, PA roadmap commitments must be completed before the establishment of the Palestinian state - especially those concerning security issues.
Israel, for its part, has shown its readiness to meet its own obligations under the roadmap as well, and has implemented a number of measures to support the process.
Beyond undertaking to freeze all settlement activity and to remove illegal outposts, Israel has released almost 800 Palestinian detainees, removed 25 roadblocks and checkpoints in the West Bank, transferred to the PA about $250 million in tax and customs revenues, joined with international partners to promote Palestinian infrastructure development projects, and reconvened several of the bilateral committees established in the Oslo Accords - all in order to address the ongoing needs of the PA.
While the responsibility to solve the conflict lies with the sides, the Annapolis meeting must also be followed by an international effort to provide a supportive environment for the sides in their effort to reach agreement.
For example, the Paris Donor's Conference scheduled for next month will provide an opportunity for international donor states to help the PA advance in the process.
The international community has an important role to play by enhancing the functioning of the PA and improving economic conditions for the Palestinians at large. This is crucial to win the support of the population, which needs to see some of the fruits of peace-making even while negotiations are taking place.
Working for the realization of a peaceful solution to the conflict would be a daunting challenge even without the background of a worldwide escalation in Islamist extremism.
For this reason, the Arab and Muslim worlds in particular have a special role to play in backing the moderates and isolating the extremists. When agreements between the parties are reached, even on smaller issues, the support of the moderate Arab states is crucial, especially in confronting those extremists determined to prevent any success.
Similarly, as advancements are made, so should normalization progress between the Arab world and Israel. With the support of the region's moderates, the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue should lead to enhanced ties and cooperation throughout the Middle East.
While committed to promoting peace, Israel still has a responsibility to defend its citizens from terrorist attacks. Unfortunately, the extremists will do everything in their power to try to stop the peace process.
Therefore, it must be remembered that Israeli efforts to create a new reality of peace with the moderate Palestinian leadership do not mean that Israel will cease to confront the extremists.
The Annapolis meeting has the potential to restart the process, to change the face of the Middle East. Israel hopes that all parties involved will seize this opportunity, and do everything possible to help clear the path toward peace.
The author is Israel's ambassador to China
(China Daily November 27, 2007)
