We are witnessing the latest developments regarding the Middle East conflict, following US President Donald Trump’s so-called “Peace Plan”. This plan promotes unilateral annexations of vast territories in the West Bank by Israel, a crime of aggression under the Rome Statute, while completely ignoring the long occupation of those territories. The consequences of its implementation would be devastating for any real and sustainable peace in the future. Even more so given the fact that this plan surges at a time of non-existing efforts by the Israeli government to promote the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside an Israeli state. On the contrary, it comes after a decade of expansion of the settlement enterprise led by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The plan put forward by President Trump is a distractive one. While using a two-state solution discourse, Trump’s plan is based on the distorted idea that a peace process can begin with a one-sided annexation of occupied land. This peace-in-disguise will allow Israel’s right extremists to fulfill their vision of permanent presence in the West Bank while de facto depriving the Palestinians’ hopes and dreams for an independent state of their own. We should not be fooled by Trump’s promises – there will be no peace at the end of this process, only two nations bind in an even deadlier conflict, with fewer possibilities to create a reality of peace and prosperity for their peoples. This initiative of a populist right-wing president to save himself from impeachment, and his partner, Benjamin Netanyahu, from three cases of corruption in Israel.

IUSY and YES shall continue to urge the Israeli government to act immediately for this cause. IUSY and YES express dual solidarity with its member organizations both in Israel and Palestine who work persistently in order to establish a large movement of activists who share this vision of peace and justice. The support of socialists from all corners of the globe is essential in the efforts for strengthening this voice within Israel, and in promoting the ability to build a sustainable and just future for both the Israeli and the Palestinian people.

IUSY and YES declare their firm commitment with the fulfilment of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination that has been violated by Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise. Trump’s initiative does nothing but perpetuates the denial of rights while rewarding Israel for systematically violating international law. Peace cannot be an abstract. It composed by justice, equality and the fulfilment of the rights of everyone, in this case, of Israelis, Palestinians and the rest of the region.

IUSY and YES will only support a Peace Process that:

• Ends the Israeli occupation that began in 1967, including in and around East Jerusalem.
• Based on a two-state solution, achieved through a direct dialog between the two nations under the international community supervision, as the overriding method to achieve a peace agreement in the Middle East.
• Sees the establishment of a fully sovereign Palestinian State, with control over its airspace, natural resources and all other attributes of sovereignty.
• Grants equal political and civil rights for all citizens of Israel and Palestine, including between Jewish and Arab citizens in Israel.
• Solves all issues based on international law and relevant UN resolutions.

We warn everyone about the dangerous precedents that the Trump Administration is imposing by promoting this plan. Violation of basic principles of International Law, such as the inadmissibility of acquisition of the land through the use of force, could be turned into precedents that will only make it more difficult to secure peace and security elsewhere. This is no longer time for mere statements.

The Presidium of IUSY and YES have decided to launch a campaign in order to help in saving the prospects of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. This includes:

• A commitment of all members to work for the immediate recognition of the State of Palestine on the 1967 border.
• Request from all members to take proactive action against Israel’s settlements and its economic supporters, including by banning settlement products and Calling upon the UN Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet to release the database of companies involved in the Israeli occupation in 1967 lands
• Promoting visits of our members to support on the ground the progressive forces in Israel and Palestine, including the right to political and civil equality for the Arab Palestinian citizens of Israel and the struggle against the occupation that began in 1967, including in East Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Palestine

We call for the end of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian people, based on our belief in equality and freedom, and aspire for independence and self-determination of all peoples in the region. We hope to end the rising violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian territories and to establish a just, egalitarian and secure space with opportunities for life, development, freedom of speech, peace and solidarity.