ELEMENTS OF A STRATEGY OF ADVOCACY

1. ELEMENTS OF A STRATEGY OF ADVOCACY • Analysis • Telling a story • Reframing • Elements essential to any just peace • Mobilizing civil society through campaigns and actions • Monitoring political processes • Targeting Power

2. A BASIC REFRAMING OF THE ISRAEL-PALESTINE CONFLICT

3. ISRAEL’S SECURITY FRAMING • Israel is a small Western democracy merely defending itself against Arab/Muslim terrorism. • Israel is the victim; it is in a fight for its existence. • The Land of Israel belongs exclusively to the Jewish people; there is no other people that has legitimate rights or claims to the country. • (And there is no occupation).

4. A BASIC REFRAMING OF THE CONFLICT FROM A PEACE PERSPECTIVE • The Occupation must be at the center of the discussion; • The Occupation represents a pro-active attempt on the part of Israel to assert permanent control over the entire country between the Mediterranean and the Jordan River, and is not defensive in nature; and • Israel is the strong party in the conflict, the only Occupying Power, and not the victim; as such it can be held accountable for its policies and actions under international law.

5. A HUMAN RIGHTS RE-FRAMING

7. (1) THE ISSUE OF EXCLUSIVITY In Israel’s Framing • The Land of Israel belongs exclusively to the Jewish people; Arabs reside “in our country” by sufferance and not by right. • The Arabs are our permanent enemies. For reasons of “security,” Israel must permanently control the entire Land of Israel. • The task, then, is to transform a temporary occupation into a permanent state of control. In a Human Rights Reframing Two peoples reside in Israel/Palestine and each has rights of self-determination.

8. (2) THE CONFLICT In Israel’s Security Framing • Israel is fighting for its existence. The conflict is a win-lose proposition: either we “win” or “they” do. • Israel’s policies are based solely on concerns for security. • The Arabs don’t want peace; the Palestinians are our enemies; there is no solution to the conflict. • The problem is Arab terrorism. AND • There is no Occupation

9. In A Human Rights Framing • The Occupation is at the center of the discussion and is pro-active. • Israel is the strong party and the Occupying Power, not the victim. • Israel is not in a fight for its existence. Palestinians recognize Israeli sovereignty over 78% of the country; the Arab world has offered Israel regional integration. • Terrorism is a symptom – and is unacceptable, whether from “below” (non-state terrorism) or from “above” (state terrorism). • As the strong party, Israel must be held accountable.

10. (3) SOLUTIONS In Israel’s Security Framing • Any solution must leave Israel in control of the entire country. • At most, Israel can offer the Palestinians “independence-minus, autonomy-plus.” • If a Palestinian state arises on this principle, it must be truncated, non-viable and semi-sovereign – a bantustan.

11. In a Human Rights Framing • Either a truly sovereign and viable Palestinian state must emerge or a single state, bi-national or unitary. • Only a just, win-win approach based on human rights and international law can resolve the conflict.

12. A JEWISH RE-FRAMING

13. ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS: A JEWISH REFRAMING • Begin with civil rights, human rights, social justice that define Diaspora Jewry. -- Tell the story of Rene Cassins -- Remind them of the prominence of Jews in revolutionary movements, trade unions, the the American Civil Rights Movements and the anti-apartheid struggle) • Diaspora Jewry defined by Prophetic tradition • Then back into Israel and the Occupation

14. A PALESTINIAN REFRAMING

15. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES • Palestinians are a people who, like every other people, possess an inalienable right to freedom and self-determination in their historic homeland. • The Palestinian people have never, and will never, give up claim to their homeland. No matter what political solution to the conflict is finally reached, all Palestine is considered the Palestinians’ homeland in which all Palestinians, no matter where they live at the present, have a right to reside. • Within the parameters of international law, the Palestinians have a right to resist oppression by any means possible, including, if necessary, armed struggle.

16. A PALESTINIAN VISION • What would genuine Palestinian liberation look like? • What is the Palestinian vision? • What could relations with Jewish Israelis be? The Palestinian national movement recognizes the bi-national nature of the conflict. While not accepting Zionist claims to Palestine, the existence of an Israeli people is acknowledged as an integral part of any political solution.

17. PALESTINIAN COMMITMENT TO A JUST PEACE The Palestinians, like the wider Arab and Muslim worlds, have been very forthcoming, especially in light of Israel’s intransigence. • The PLO accepted the two-state solution in 1988, although it meant a Palestinian state on only 22% of historic Palestine). • The Palestinians participated in good faith in the Oslo negotiations for seven years (1993-2000), and today in the “Annapolis Process.” • And the Saudi Initiative of 2002.

18. PALESTINIAN REQUIREMENTS FOR A JUST PEACE • Any solution must be based on the fundamental human and national rights of the Palestinians, as well as on international law. • The Right of Return is accepted, and acknowledged, by Israel. • Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel be guaranteed their fundamental right to full equality. • Recognition of Israel by the Palestinians, the Arab and Muslim worlds and the international community within the 1949 armistice lines (i.e. on 78% of historic Palestine) addresses its security needs.

19. If a genuine two-state proves impossible, then a single-state solution is required to secure Palestinian national rights, while acknowledging Israeli ones. That state may take one of two forms: • A bi-national state in which two national groups share a common state framework and some form of power-sharing; or • A democratic state in which every citizen has equal civil rights, with national identities acknowledged through symbolic institutions (universities, museums, national assemblies with limited powers, etc.).

20. Israel is the strong party in the conflict and can be held accountable. • The issue is not one of Israel’s security, but -- its claim to the entire country and -- unwillingness to accept a viable Palestinian state. • The Occupation is a pro-active policy of claiming the entire country; Israel is not a victim. • The Israeli-Palestinian conflict threatens to destabilize the entire global system and contradicts US interests.

21. AN AMERICAN REFRAMING

22. WHY SHOULD THIS CONFLICT MATTER TO US AMERICANS? • The Israel-Palestine conflict is emblematic to the Muslim world. Resolving it is a pre-condition to pursuing other American interests in the region (withdrawing from Iraq, stabilizing Afghanistan & Pakistan, dealing with Iran and Islamic fundamentalism, etc.) • The Israeli-Palestinian conflict destabilizes the entire global system • The Israeli-Palestinian conflict threatens a global system based on human rights and international law

23. THE ISRAEL/PALESTINE CONFLICT IN LIGHT OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS • First Amendment : Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. • Third Amendment : No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. • Fourth Amendment : The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated…. • Fifth Amendment : No person…shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation. And to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

24. THE STRUGGLE FOR PALESTINE IN CHRISTIAN LIBERATION THEOLOGY Presented by: REV. NAIM ATEEK Sabeel The Center for Palestinian Christian Liberation Theology

25. PALESTINIAN CHRISTIANITY HAS ANCIENT ROOTSIN THE HOLY LAND

26. WHAT IS PALESTINIAN LIBERATION THEOLOGY? • An inclusive theology inspired by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, in which God’s love is extended to all living creatures. • Palestinian liberation theology rejects the exclusiveness of Jewish and Christian Zionism which privileges one people over another and replaces God’s love with exclusive claims to territory. • Human rights is based on the Christian notion of human created in God’s image, in human dignity. • Jesus Christ as a role model for non-violent resistance. • Solidarity with Palestinian Christians

27. RESPONSES TO CHRISTIAN ZIONISM • Is God a tribal, territorial-based God, partial to the tribe of the Hebrews, wrathful towards their enemies, or is God a sacrificial God who loves the whole world? • Is prophecy a form of fortune-telling regarding current world affairs or does it carry a message from God calling on people (including those in power) to repent? • Does the Bible condone the persecution of Christians by Israeli Jews – or the persecution of anyone? • Can Christian Zionists, as Christians, support injustice and argue that this is God’s Way? (For further critical views on Christian Zionism, See www.christianzionism.org and the work of Stephen Sizer)