March 12th, 2009

What is to be done? Speech by Ziad Asali at Newark, New Jersey - October 18, 2004 - 12:00am A consensus, that is, nearly a consensus, about the contours of the final agreement for a genuine and lasting peace is known. It is a variation of the themes of Clinton’s Taba proposal, The Geneva Initiative, Nusseibeh- Ayalon, One Voice and most importantly, the Road Map. Polls and surveys of Palestinians, Israelis, American Jews and Arabs, as well as the general American public, indicate support for a Two-State solution based on what has come to be called the Historic Compromise. » Read more

Palestine and Israel: Unkind History, Uncertain Future Speech by Ziad Asali at Cornell University - September 3, 2003 - 12:00am For a conflict that has been described as intractable, insoluble and “centuries old”, the most dramatic feature about the Palestine/ Israel conflict is the near unanimous agreement about the contours of its final resolution. Think about that. The majority of the Palestinians, Israelis, Arabs, Jews, Americans, Europeans, and people all over the world as well as global institutions and bodies are in support of an outline that goes as follows: » Read more

In Pursuit of Peace Speech by Ziad Asali at Tikkun Conference - June 2, 2003 - 12:00am The march of events of humankind that we call history has been unkind to the Jews and Palestinians this past century. Europe, the seat of the pinnacle of world culture and western civilization, was seized with convulsive fits of hatred and barbarism that culminated in the Holocaust and made the defeat of Nazism the highest moral order of the time. The Palestinians, caught in the ensuing whirlwind, were eviscerated, displaced, denigrated and driven to desperation. Israel was established on 78% of the land of Palestine in 1948, and occupied the rest in 1967. » Read more

Dr. Asali Addresses the World Affairs Council Speech by Ziad Asali at Carnegie Endowment, Washington DC - December 8, 2004 - 1:00am The very intractability of the Palestinian Israeli conflict over the past several decades makes it wiser to analyze it rather than to prognosticate about it. However, the long- standing deadlock and the sense of helpless shrugging of the shoulders with despair it generates, have recently been broken by several developments that call for a reassessment. » Read more

February 27th

Palestinian Politics in Crisis: A Trip Report Speech by Ziad Asali at Foundation for Middle East Peace - Washington, DC - August 3, 2004 - 12:00am Simply stated, crossing the bridge from Jordan to the West Bank is a hassle. However, it is also an orderly juncture over an established state border with nothing temporary about it. Traversing it gives the traveler a sense of his powerlessness in the dominant military presence of the officials of the State. The July sun scorches the lowest spot on earth and the forbidding arid and naked landscape makes you wonder how strange the Palestinians and Israelis must seem to others: Are these people serious in fighting over this barren land? » Read more

Statement of Ziad Asali at Special Senate Hearing Speech by Ziad Asali at U.S. Senate - October 30, 2003 - 1:00am Mr. Chairman, Honorable Members of the Committee, It is an honor and a privilege to appear before you to testify about yet one more vexing problem of the Palestinian Israeli conflict, that of the Palestinian education. » Read more

The Geneva Proposals for Peace: Still Viable? Speech by Ziad Asali at Washington, DC - April 15, 2004 - 12:00am Thank you, Mr. Ambassador Freeman. I will try. Good morning everyone. The Hall of Justice in Geneva was packed with dignitaries, delegates, hardened peaceniks and guests from Palestine, Israel, the Arab world, Europe and the United States. The festive celebration with speeches, music and live performances, correctly and evenly divided between Israelis and Palestinians in joint appearances while a full court of world media was providing sympathetic attention -- an auspicious and promising occasion. » Read more

The Road to Peace - Vision and Courage Speech by Ziad Asali at Washington DC - February 23, 2003 - 1:00am In these times of great peril and uncertainty, with talk of war in the air, with military men and women mobilized and ready to unleash their might, with institutions and alliances that have served the cause of peace for decades fragmented and at cross purposes, it is hard to see through the fog and to advocate a course of moderation when the word moderation itself has become loaded and suspect. However, it is my intention to do just that. » Read more

February 25th

Remarks at the University of Jordan Speech by Ziad Asali at University of Jordan - March 30, 2008 - 12:00am The last few years have witnessed a significant development in US foreign policy regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In addition to the longstanding strategic US commitment to Israel, the creation of a Palestinian state has now become a constant in the definition of US interests in the Middle East. While previous Administrations have embarked on peace making since the early 90’s, it was only recently recognized that a Palestinian state is not only desirable but necessary. » Read more

Palestine-Israel Peace Process Speech by Ziad Asali at World Affairs Councils of America - February 2, 2007 - 1:00am The Palestine/Israel conflict has been a defining feature of the global political landscape for decades. Its resolution would present a major challenge to the status quo and those who benefit from it. It also would badly damage the careers of the legions of Middle East experts the world over. » Read more