Position statement

We are a group of men and women in Zürich with Jewish backgrounds who joined together in the summer of 2002 out of a deep concern about the developments in the Middle East. Our activism emanates from a critical connectedness to Israel, whose democratic foundations we see being undermined by discrimination, occupation and repression. We are committed to a democratic and tolerant Israel.

As a group we wish to avoid oversimplifications of the complexity of the situation in the Middle East. The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has very deep roots. The following expression of our convictions is our attempt to reduce the complexity of the historical events in the region to a basis upon which we can agree and upon which we can develop activities to support peace efforts both in the region and here in Switzerland.

Position statement:

We are committed to the practice of dialogue with mutual understanding and respect, both within the Jewish community and with partners in the Palestinian community, even when our points of view differ.
We are opposed to all anti-Jewish, anti-Islamic as well as all forms of racist tendencies and are prepared to actively oppose such developments when they occur.
We perceive Israelis and Palestinians as both victims and perpetrators and are convinced that reconciliation can only then be achieved when members of each group are prepared to acknowledge the pain of the other.
With the realization that a thorough knowledge and differentiated interpretation of history is important, we focus our attention primarily on the future: the borders in effect prior to June 5th, 1967 should be the basis for building the future.
Europe may not disengage itself from its historical responsibility to the region. It must contribute actively to the political and economical development of both Israel and the future state of Palestine.
Israel and the Palestinians seem no longer able to resolve their conflict by themselves. We support an active and constructive third-party intervention.
We are committed to being part of a network with peace groups in the region as well as with Jewish people and Palestinians in Switzerland and elsewhere and all other persons and groups who agree with our positions.
The conflict in the Middle East must be resolved politically and non-violently.

We are committed to:

Immediate founding of the state of Palestine.
Immediate mutual recognition and establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Palestine.
Recognition of Jerusalem as the joint capital of Israel and Palestine.
Mutual acceptance of the borders prior to June 5th, 1967 between the two states, with agreements about whatever territorial exchanges might be required.
The immediate deployment of an international peacekeeping force to keep the two sides separated and to uphold the peace agreement.
Acknowledgment of the injustice done to the Palestinians in 1948 (and since then) through land confiscation and by forcing them to leave their properties in Israel behind.
Acknowledgment of the injustice of the Occupation as well as the development of settlements by Israel since 1967. Restoration of the confiscated territories in the occupied areas and handing over of the settlements.
Acknowledgment of the injustice done to Israeli victims of Palestinian attacks on the civilian population.
Mutual acknowledgment of the pain and traumatization which both Israelis and Palestinians have suffered and continue to suffer as a result of years of violence.
Compensation for those Palestinians who will not be able to return to their former homes in Israel.
Compensation for illegal confiscation of property, according to international law.
Acknowledgment by the power parties in the Arab world for their part in creating the present-day situation in the Middle East and their share in the responsibility for perpetuating the plight of the Palestinian refugees and displaced persons.
A just distribution of water and water rights.
Committed Israeli support to the building of the Palestinian state.
Israel's development of improved political, economic and social conditions for the Arab-Israeli citizens, as completely equal members of the society, free of discrimination.
Criticism of Israeli politics should not give carte blanche to anti-Semitic attacks on Jewish people here or elsewhere.