Seeds of Peace

Section 1: Introduction

We are a group of Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian, Jordanian, and American youth committed to peace and coexistence in the Middle East. Based upon trust and mutual understanding-the fundamental principles of Seeds of Peace-we have come together to negotiate one of the most emotional and controversial issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict: Jerusalem. Through the hope which Seeds of Peace has given us, we have gained the courage to face the crucial question of Jerusalem-a problem which many believe insoluble, and even non-negotiable. We, the members of the Jerusalem committee, Arabs and Israelis alike, recognize that Jerusalem is a city of historical significance and deep religious meaning to both Arabs and Israelis. It is of cultural, geographical and economic importance to both the Palestinian and Israeli people. Its ancient holy sites are sources of emotional attachment to Jews, Christians and Muslims. The dispute over the city is important to us, because it affects our peoples, our families, and our friends. The problems this committee has examined are by no means clear-cut; we have faced extreme difficulty in reaching even the simplest of agreements. Yet through the sharing of personal stories, debate of political issues, and negotiation, we have persisted. Our commitment to peace and to each other has supplied the strength needed to overcome our frustration. In mutual recognition of the significance of Jerusalem to both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, we of the Jerusalem committee have reached the following agreements on the best methods of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict over the city, of upholding equal and fundamental rights for all of its inhabitants, of improving the quality of life for all of its residents, and ultimately of resolving the national aspirations of both of the peoples who see Jerusalem as their only capital city.

Section 2: Declaration of Principles

After half a century without resolution, the bitter conflict over Jerusalem continues to divide the city's inhabitants and to prevent Jerusalem and her residents from enjoying full freedom, security, economic prosperity and international recognition. Our Jerusalem committee includes seven Jerusalemites, four Israeli and three Palestinian, who have grown up fearing to cross into "the other side" of the city, and witnessing firsthand the violence and inequality that result from two neighboring populations existing in a state of unresolved hostility. It is our desire to see all Jerusalemites equally possessed of their fundamental human rights and enjoying the improved quality of life that a peaceful solution of the Jerusalem question will bring. We resolve that the following principles must be guaranteed in any agreement regarding the status of Jerusalem, and in the absence of any such agreement, should be implemented and upheld by the authorities and institutions controlling the city until such agreement is reached.

1. Full access to Jerusalem's holy sites must be guaranteed for all people as long as they do not pose a threat to human life, the holy places themselves, in accordance to and respecting the religious customs observed at that site.
2. No wall should divide Jerusalem.
3. The fullest possible access must be guaranteed for all people to any and every part of Jerusalem, as long as they do not pose a threat to human life or property and in accordance to the jurisdiction in the particular part of the city.
4. Fundamental human rights must be equally ensured for all residents of Jerusalem regardless of race, religion, or nationality.
5. All residents of Jerusalem must have the right to participate in the legislative authority of the city, regardless of race, religion, or nationality.

It is our will to improve the quality of life in Jerusalem for all of her inhabitants by confronting the following negative conditions that exist in the holy city today: Lack of personal security: Throughout our lives, Jerusalem has been the scene of terror attacks and bloody confrontations. Innocent people, Israelis, Palestinians, and foreign visitors, have become the victims of violence for doing no more than walking in Jerusalem's streets, riding the bus, or praying in the holy places.Together we denounce the use of violence as an instrument of terror, of oppression, or of advancing political goals. The Israeli members of this committee avoid traveling within the Old City and most Palestinian sections of the city, and the Palestinian members of this committee avoid traveling within most Israeli sections of the city, for fear of harassment and violence. In addition, people around the world refrain from visiting Jerusalem due to its reputation as a volatile and dangerous place. We aspire to reach an agreement which better satisfies the aspirations of all of Jerusalem's inhabitants, in order to stabilize the situation in the city, so that all Jerusalemites will feel free and safe to travel anywhere in their home city, and so the people of the world will feel fully comfortable visiting. The Israeli members of the committee would like to enjoy the markets, restaurants, and holy and historical sites of the Old City and East Jerusalem. The Palestinian members of the committee would like to enjoy the cafes, shopping malls, and theaters of West Jerusalem. All of the city's inhabitants would like to enjoy the prosperity that will result from maximizing the city's tremendous potential as a haven for tourism and religious pilgrimage. A just, mutually agreeable resolution of the conflict over the city is the best way to reduce the violence and tension endemic to Jerusalem of today. Such a solution is urgent, because we wish that Jerusalemites will enjoy their full rights and maximum prosperity within our own lifetimes. Lack of International Recognition: Both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples see Jerusalem as their national capital. This status has never been recognized, however, by the overwhelming majority of the international community. The unacknowledged status of Jerusalem as the national capital prevents both peoples from fully exercising their rights to self-determination and sovereignty. In addition, the disputed and undefined status of Jerusalem also impairs the financial development of the city, as numerous international corporations refrain from locating their offices in the city. Inequality in Municipal Services and Fundamental Rights: A fundamental condition for creating a more peaceful Jerusalem is the equal maintenance of all sections of the city, and the equal maintenance of fundamental rights of all residents of the city, regardless of their race, religion or nationality. In Jerusalem today, there exists a tremendous disparity between the quality of infrastructure in Israeli and Palestinian sections of the city. We resolve that this situation is a violation of equal rights which inflames the division between the Israeli and Palestinian populations in the city, and that action must be taken by the authorities and institutions of Jerusalem in order to equalize and improve the status of infrastructure in all of the city, and to ensure equal distribution of municipal services in the future. In order to advance this goal, we recommend the establishment of two municipalities, one Israeli and one Palestinian, within the current boundaries of the city of Jerusalem, and the establishment of an Inter-Municipal Council for Infrastructure (IMC4IF) made up of an equal number of Israeli and Palestinian representatives, with the responsibility of coordinating between the municipalities and deciding on all infrastructure matters that affect both sides (see section 3). We affirm the right of residence for all Jerusalemites, regardless of race, religion or nationality. Our agreement will not tolerate any policy that would deprive residents of Jerusalem of their right to travel and return to reside in Jerusalem, or to marry non-residents of Jerusalem and retain their right to reside in Jerusalem. This agreement will guarantee the right of residents of Jerusalem to bring all members of their nuclear family to reside with them in Jerusalem without any interference on the part of either municipality. We affirm the right of all residents of Jerusalem, irrespective of race, religion or nationality, to build upon privately-owned land in accordance with municipal building codes and community standards. Such codes and standards, however, must be determined according to substantive aesthetic criteria and not according to the race, religion, or nationality of the owner or the majority of inhabitants in the area in which the land is located. It is our belief that the system of two municipalities will ensure the greatest degree of fairness in this aspect of life in Jerusalem. Mutually Exclusive Education: The current approaches to education regarding Jerusalem within both the Israeli and Palestinian societies present a one-sided vision of Jerusalem as the capital city of only one side. In order to increase support for the agreement and peace within Jerusalem, this educational approach must be replaced with a new program, one geared at instilling the values of human rights, equality, understanding and mutual respect of the cultures and religions of all peoples living in Jerusalem. This program will teach the history of both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples and their specific connections to the city of Jerusalem. A new generation of Israeli and Palestinian students will be taught to see two peoples living in Jerusalem, and to see the city through their eyes. Exchanges between Palestinian and Israeli schools in Jerusalem will be an integral part of the new curriculum, which will make coexistence not simply a value but a way of life in Jerusalem.

Section 3: Municipal Agreements

Members of the Committee recognize the importance of Jerusalem for both sides on the basis of religion, history, human population and culture. We also recognize that fundamental human rights must be maintained to guarantee security and peaceful coexistence. Both sides will share the city, therefore a mechanism that fulfills the needs of both sides to the fullest extent possible must be created. The Committee believes that the following proposal fulfills the civic rights of Palestinians while not infringing upon those of the Israeli citizens. The following proposals were agreed upon:

1. Religious sites will be controlled by an authority of the corresponding religion.
2. Jerusalem will have two municipalities, one Palestinian and one Israeli, within the city's current municipal boundaries.
3. An Inter-Municipal Council for Infrastructure (IMC4IF) will be established with representatives from both municipalities.
4. The first responsibility and function of the IMC4IF is Inter-Municipal Coordination: The IMC4IF will be responsible for keeping each municipality aware of development in the neighboring municipality. The IMC4IF will meet regularly, and its members will be responsible for exchanging updated information on current developments and issues in their respective jurisdictions.
5. The second responsibility and function of the IMC4IF is Management of Infrastructure: The IMC4IF will manage the development of all infrastructure that is shared by both municipalities or which affects both of them. Infrastructure includes sewage, roads, telephones, electricity, and any other facets of urban civilization that the committee chooses to approve.
6. The IMC4IF, like the two municipalities, will operate within the current municipal boundaries of the city of Jerusalem.
7. The IMC4IF has decision-making authority only on issues of infrastructure or other issues shared by both municipalities or affecting both of them.
8. Each municipality reserves the right to annex neighborhoods and territories adjacent to their current boundaries but not infringing upon the territory of the other municipality.
9. Each municipality will undertake the responsibility of shared financial or infrastructure consequences from the type of annexation activity denoted in item 8.
10. The IMC4IF will work for the benefit of the city as a whole.
11. The officials of the IMC4IF will be appointed by the two municipalities according to their qualifications and expertise in relevant fields, and not according to political or electoral calculations.
12. There will be an equal number of Israeli and Palestinian representatives on the IMC4IF.
13. Compensation will be guaranteed to any residents of Jerusalem who lose property as a consequence of the agreement.

• The status of the Old City and the inter-municipal borders was not discussed and therefore remains open for future negotiations.

Section 4: The Establishment of a Palestinian Capital in Jerusalem and the Elimination of Terrorism.

We, the members of the Jerusalem committee, affirm the following agreement regarding the establishment of a Palestinian capital within the municipal boundaries of Jerusalem and the elimination of the infrastructure of terrorism. The State of Israel will recognize and declare the Palestinian national right to establish a Palestinian capital of a sovereign Palestinian state, within the municipal boundaries of Jerusalem. The Israeli members of the committee base this recognition on the following principles:

1. Human life. Jerusalem has been seen by the Jewish people as their exclusive capital for thousands of years, and it is deeply painful to concede sovereignty in any section of it. However, human life is the one value that takes precedence over the value of sovereignty over all of Jerusalem. It is our belief that the only effective way to end the bloodshed in our country is by reaching a comprehensive agreement to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including a resolution of the issue of Jerusalem.
2. Recognition of the Importance of a Palestinian Capital. As stated in the preamble to the Jerusalem Committee Agreement, the Israeli members of the committee recognize the strength of Palestinian national aspirations to claim their capital in the city of Jerusalem. Therefore, it is our belief that the objective of establishing a functioning capital in Jerusalem will inspire the Palestinian people to eliminate terrorism and achieve things that were previously thought impossible.

This declaration will be implemented if and when the following conditions must be fulfilled:

1. Terrorism will be eliminated before the implementation of the declaration. Israeli and Palestinian security forces will cooperate in destroying the infrastructure of terrorism.
2. The Jewish neighborhoods built by Israel in East Jerusalem will not be evacuated as a consequence of this agreement. Their sovereignty is subject to further negotiation. Their residents will have the option to choose their citizenship (i.e. Israeli or Palestinian) at the conclusion of these negotiations.
3. There will be no Palestinian army in Jerusalem.
4. The Israel Defense Forces will withdraw from Jerusalem only with the implementation of the declaration.
5. Palestinian security forces will work with Israeli security forces in the area agreed upon as the Palestinian capital during the period in between the declaration and the implementation.
6. Immediately upon implementation of the declaration of the establishment of a Palestinian capital in Jerusalem, the Palestinian state will recognize the part of Jerusalem remaining under Israeli sovereignty as the capital of the sovereign state of Israel. Both Israel and Palestine will demand international recognition of their joint sovereign status within the city of Jerusalem.

A committee consisting of an equal number of Palestinian and Israeli representatives and representatives of the United Nations will be assigned to clarify and define the practical meaning of the elimination of terror, and when this elimination is accomplished. The representatives will be selected on the basis of expertise in the fields of security and fighting terror will meet at two-month intervals in order to evaluate the progress of the elimination of terrorism. Upon achievement of the elimination of terrorism according to the criteria decided upon by said committee, Israel is committed to recognize and declare the Palestinian capital in Jerusalem of the sovereign Palestinian state, and to begin the redeployment of Israeli forces in Jerusalem according to article 4 (above). There will be simultaneous Palestinian recognition of the Israeli capital in the Israeli section of Jerusalem in accordance with article 6. This committee recognizes the need for an interim agreement that will discuss settlements, boundaries, and the status quo before this declaration is implemented. Jerusalem Committee Agreements of the Jerusalem Committee Plenary Voting Results: PASSED Israeli Delegates: 74% Palestinian Delegates: 100% Jordanian Delegates: 100% Egyptian Delegates: 100% American Delegates: 100% Introductory Letter Declaration of Principles Values of Sovereignty Security Committee Land Committee Economic Committee Refugee Committee To return to the Main Conference page, click here.