Former Israeli Prime Minister and former Palestinian Foreign Minister announce joint plan to end Israel-Hamas war

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and former Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Nasser al-Khidwa will announce a joint initiative to end the Israel-Hamas war.

Mr. Olmert and Mr. al-Kidwa discussed the plan, which was based on a two-state proposal that Mr. Olmert presented to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in 2008, in an interview aired in March 2018. rosemary burton live today.

Mr. Olmert and Mr. Alkidova spoke to CBC’s chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton about why they believe their proposal will work despite the recent escalation in violence.

“When things are complicated and very difficult, we need leaders who will say out loud that this is not the way forward,” Al-Khidwa said.

“And the way forward should be a political solution and the establishment of peace.”

In the joint proposal of Mr. Olmert and Mr. Alkidova, ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. It also calls for the release of all hostages held by Hamas in exchange for an “agreed” number of Palestinian prisoners.

Israel’s borders return to their 1967 positions. Israel would annex 4.4 percent of the West Bank, and the Palestinian state would acquire the same amount of Israeli territory, including a corridor connecting the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Olmert said he understands that people on both sides of the conflict disagree with their plans, but a two-state solution is the only way to end the bloodshed.

“There will be many [on] Similarly on the Palestinian side [on] “The Israeli side will reject this, criticize us and condemn us.”

“And while neither Dr. Alkidova nor I will become more popular because of it, it is the first step we must take to move into a new reality.”

The peace plan also calls for the deployment of the Temporary Arab Security Post (TASP) in Gaza in conjunction with the withdrawal of Israeli troops to stabilize the situation. A council consisting of members associated with the Palestinian Authority will be established to manage and rebuild Gaza. The goal is to prepare elections in Gaza and the West Bank within 24 to 36 months.

Olmert served as Israel’s 12th prime minister from 2006 to 2009, and in 2006 he led Israel’s war against Hezbollah. Al-Khidwa served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian Authority from 2005 to 2006 and as PLO representative to the United Nations from 1991 to 2005. He is also Mr. Olmert’s nephew. Former Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

The two said that although they were not friends before, they realized they had the same goals.

“We suddenly realized that there was the same desire that haunted us both: to move not in the direction of becoming popular on the streets or in the media, but in the direction of changing reality. ..make life safer and more meaningful for all of us in any possible way,” Olmert said.

Olmert and al-Kidwa said their proposal needs support from the public and relevant governments to work.

“We are doing our best. We are working day and night to do just that by getting the word out to the public and making it available to as many governments as possible,” Alkidwa said. spoke.

“We have to get world leaders to start talking about this issue and insist that this be part of the international agenda. That’s what we’re trying to do.” said Olmert.

Monday marks one year since the war between Israel and Hamas began. On October 7, 2023, an extremist group carried out the deadliest attack on Israel in its history, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, Israeli officials said.

Israel’s ensuing war with Hamas devastated Gaza, displacing most of its 2.3 million people and killing more than 41,600, according to Gaza health authorities.

Olmert and al-Khidwa said that after a year of shocking violence, there remains hope for peace through a two-state solution.

“You know, when it’s really dark, you need real light. I think this is real light,” Alkidova said.