I am in favor of the Arab Peace Initiative. This initiative calls for border settlement along the 1967 borders including a withdrawal from East Jerusalem, normalization of relations with Israel from surrounding Arab states, "just settlement" to right of return in accordance with UN Resolution 194 and mutual recognition of right to exist. I favor this initiative due to its comprehensiveness, as well as an even-handed approach. Specifically, no plan for the future will succeed unless it is built upon a willingness to work with each other; mutual respect must be built upon, but mutual tolerance should be a given. This initiative succeeds because it emphasizes the normalization of relations between various factions.
The initiative has been endorsed by the Abbas and the PA, EU, UN Secretary General, Quartet on the Middle East, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and United Kingdom. President Obama has expressed support for the "spirit" of the initiative (but not the specific details). The initiative also has divided support within Hamas; the military wing has rejected it, but others within the organization have voiced official support. Numerous left wing Israeli groups support the proposal. Unfortunately, the point of contentiousness has reached an extreme. As noted, the militant wing of Hamas rejected the proposal on grounds that it requires recognition of Israel. Of course, Israel's government rejected the proposal due to its requirement to cede East Jerusalem. These two rejections (Hamas/Israel) highlight the poor state of the conflict's attempted resolution. Each population has elements within it that have been completely driven to the idealistic edge; this radicalization dominates the forefront of discussion. Each population must fully recognize this state of affairs and demand that negotiations stop being framed by constructed ideological notions. I would think that "normal" people do not have much room for "ideology"; they are too busy trying to get on with a normal life in an abnormal environment.
I am also in favor of a solution of a different manner. I can not claim ownership of the idea; however, the name of the documentary has escaped me. As one of the documentary's participants noted, the conflict would end within a week if Israelis and Palestinians were required to buy cigarettes on each other's side of the wall/border/etc.
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