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Councils

SANTO DOMINGO COUNCIL - Working for a more secure and fairer world

26-27 November 2001


RESOLUTION ON THE MIDDLE EAST 

The Socialist International, which includes among its members the Labour Party and Meretz in Israel, and Fatah in Palestine, has for many years been involved in ongoing attempts to reach peace through dialogue in the region.

For more than a year now, the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has claimed many lives and created great suffering. The parties must get out of this vicious circle by implementing the recommendations of the Mitchell Report. As it seems difficult for the parties themselves to manage such a process, we believe an international monitoring mechanism must be established.

The Socialist International believes that both parties must halt violence and secure a cease-fire. Security cooperation must resume immediately and confidence-building measures must be exchanged. These are all important for the resumption of negotiations.

Israel should withdraw to the positions prior to 28 September 2000. The freezing of settlement activity should be done immediately and the blockade of the Palestinian territories should be lifted. The Palestinian Authority must do everything to get control over armed groups.

Yet, none of these steps will be sustained for long without a return to serious negotiations. It is necessary to move onto final status negotiations. The SI reaffirms its conviction that a just and lasting peace can only be based on respect for international law and UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, summarised in the principle of land for peace. This peace must definitely guarantee security and freedom for both parties.

A lasting peace will not be conceived without the establishment of a viable Palestinian state and security for Israel.

The SI will continue to play its part in the efforts to reach a just and lasting peace, in particular through our Permanent Contact Group and the SI Middle East Committee.