For nearly three years Palestinians and Israelis have been engaged in relentless fighting that has claimed the lives of thousands of casualties on both sides. Violence has disrupted the normal life of both societies and made it impossible for the forces of reason to prevail. There is no military solution to the Middle East conflict. Nor can there be a resolution based on the use of violence. Peace is the common need of all peoples and nations of the region.
The peace forces in Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Palestine have agreed to join hands to work together for the mobilization of the Arab and Israeli peoples and world public opinion to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
The International Alliance for Arab-Israeli Peace calls for a stop to the vicious cycle of violence between Palestinians and Israelis. Enough is enough. The Alliance is determined to mobilize regional and world support for the resumption of the peace process and to bring it to a successful conclusion.
The Alliance believes that peace in the Middle East is not only possible but inevitable. The guiding principles for peace in the Middle East are the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions 242 and 1397, and the Arab Peace Initiative (the "Saudi Initiative") adopted by the Arab League Summit in Beirut in March 2002, especially the principle of exchange of full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories of 1967 for a full peace, normal relations and security arrangements not only between Israel and the adjacent states but with the Arab world. Comprehensive peace should lead to the transformation of the Middle East into a region free of all kinds of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. The Alliance calls upon the international community, the Quartet, and especially the United States, to devote their utmost energies and resources to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. We warmly welcome the Road Map as stipulated by the Quartet as an important step forward in the right direction.
In implementing these principles on the Israeli-Palestinian track, the Alliance proposes the following points for an Israeli-Palestinian final status peace agreement, based on an end to the occupation and resulting in the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state within the framework of a two state solution:
Security for both sides, starting with an end to all violence.
Respect for human rights, international humanitarian law, and the environment.
Evacuation of all settlements in all areas occupied in 1967, excluding those that are included in land swaps.
Agreed borders based on and equal to June 4, 1967.
Jerusalem as the capitals of two independent states.
A just and agreed upon solution of the refugee problem consistent with the Palestinian determination for the fulfillment of all relevant UN resolutions including UNGA Res. 194 and with the Israeli determination to maintain the Jewish nature of the State of Israel, without prejudice to the Arab population of Israel and according to the bilateral peace agreement.
Extensive and agreed third party involvement in monitoring, verifying and ensuring compliance with agreements.
We, the participants in the Copenhagen conference of May 2003, wish to express through our endorsement of this statement our deep commitment to advancing the cause of Arab-Israeli peace in our societies and communities, reviving the political peace process, creating an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence, encouraging dialogue among the peace forces in the region, and securing a stable and prosperous Middle East for future generations.
"Peace is too important to be left only to governments."
Copenhagen
9 May 2003
