AHLC Chairman: End Israeli-Palestinian conflict with land for peace formula

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The “land for peace” formula needs to be revitalized to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide said as she called for renewed efforts for peace through the creation of two states.

“I stressed at the meeting the importance of restarting the political process,” Søreide said. “Israelis and Palestinians must negotiate a lasting peace agreement based on the peace formula for land.” nationalist body to grant aid to the Palestinians, known as the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), which was last convened in June.

The 15-member AHLC is chaired by Norway, unique in that it includes representation with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and Finance Minister Shukri Bishara joined at the meeting on Tuesday, as did Haim Regev of Israel’s Foreign Ministry and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Hady Amr. The meeting was co-hosted by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

“The meeting called on both parties to pave the way for talks and to stop unilateral actions that are obstacles to the peace process and weaken a two-state solution,” Søreide said.

She said the situation on the ground had improved and she hoped there could be a move.

“I am cautiously optimistic after today’s meeting. Although the situation last year was marked by a political closure between Palestine and Israel, a more productive dialogue has now begun,” Søreide said.

U.S. reactivity is important and there is a different climate, she said.

“The parties are cooperating on health, security, and economic development in Palestine. However, there is a long way to go before a political solution to the conflict can be achieved,” Søreide said.

This cooperation is important to help Palestinians introduce a COVID-19 vaccination program, and additional grant funding is needed, she said.

Over the past few weeks there has been an increase in vaccines, and additional vaccines from COVAX will be available, she said.

“Palestinians will be among the first to receive COVAX vaccines,” she said.

The meeting discussed the budget crisis facing the PA and looked at ways to increase revenue, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Søreide said.

The U.S. is at the meeting on which it intended to regain financial support for Palestinians, she said.

“Grant aid needs to be increased for Palestine, as payments have been low in recent years. At the same time,” Søreide said.

The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland told the AHLC that he also saw cause for optimism, but said the situation was very precarious.

“The COVID situation is far from under control, and some fiscal issues remain to be resolved, a cautious move will be required over the next three to four months to avoid any imbalances. rapid and gradual recovery of the economy, The PA will have little ability to mitigate the negative impact of the current situation, “he said.

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