House Oversight Document Discusses Israeli Withdrawal and Arab Peace Initiative

and neutralize threats and enable the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from a demilitarized Palestinian state with an effective internal security force and without compromising Israeli security. ¢ Note the importance of the Arab Peace Initiative, endorsed by the Arab League in 2002, and call for regional states to assist in creating an atmosphere conducive to negotiation and agreement, including by intensifying efforts to advance coexistence and normalization of relations between Arab League members and Israel. A creative and courageous approach to leveraging the Palestinian initiative will not end the conflict. But it could make it far more manageable. Yossi Alpher coedits bitterlemons.net and is former director of the Jaffee Center at Tel Aviv University. Colette Avital, former ambassador and deputy speaker of the Knesset, is international secretary of the Israel Labor Party. Maj. Gen. Shlomo Gazit was military coordinator in the Occupied Territories and head of military intelligence. Mark Heller is principal research associate at the Institute for National Security Studies, Tel Aviv University. HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_032179