Al Jazeera created an uproar across the Arab world when it leaked 1,684 documents on Jan. 23 pertaining to Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Today, on Feb. 15, the Jerusalem Fund held a very informative panel discussion on the contents of these leaks and the effect they may have on the future of negotiations. We recommend that you invest an hour and watch this vital discussion which features Khaled Elgindy, who served as an adviser to the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah on permanent status negotiations, Georgetown adjunct professor Noura Erakat, a Palestinian human rights attorney and activist, and journalist Mark Perry, a frequent guest commentator on Al Jazeera.
In this candid discussion of importance to the worldwide Palestinian Diaspora, as well as to Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, the panelists weigh in on how recent events in Egypt affect the legitimacy of negotiators and may even tip the balance in future negotiations. They discuss the Feb. 12 resignation of chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and debate the importance of finding credible negotiators who represent Palestinians at home and abroad. The Palestinian Authority has announced the holding of presidential and legislative elections before September of this year. Learn how Diaspora Palestinians can get involved and voice their opinions on the future state.
We are interested in our readers’ views: Where—if anywhere—do negotiations go from here? Who should negotiate? Who should vote in Palestinian elections? Should the U.S. even be involved—when, as Mark Perry says, year after year Washington places its thumb squarely on the Israeli side of the scale? What can we do to change U.S. foreign policy?
If you have not already done so, please log in to the Washington Report’s home page to share your comments/opinions in our new chat room.
