The Jewish State
February 20, 2004

By Norm Oshrin

Why isn't the world paying more attention and embracing the "Geneva Accord?" That question puzzles Middles East peace activists in Israel and the U.S. and will be further spotlighted on Feb. 28 at a program by the I.L. Peretz Secular Jewish Community.

The accord was reached last December when former lsraeli Justice Minister Yossi Beilin and former Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo led teams to the negotiating session.

The prevailing mantra: "There is someone to negotiate with and there is something to negotiate about.''

The signing culminated two years of meetings among moderate Israeli and Palestinian politicians and others under sponsorship of the Swiss government -to negotiate a draft final status agreement that would satisfy the needs and conditions of each side.

The catch: As an extra-governmental agreement, it has no official standing and has been largely ignored by world policy-decisionmakers.

Ira Mintz - a state labor relations attorney in Trenton who lives in Highland Park - is among advocates wanting to change all that.

"It is important to know about efforts of regular citizens who are trying to find away to peace," maintained Mintz, president of the Peretz community.

Wanting to keep the hope alive, [Peretz] invited two lay peace activists to share their perspectives at the Feb. 28 session. scheduled for the Rutgers Labor Education Center, Ryders Lane, New Brunswick, beginning at 8p.m.

The official topic for the evening: "Getting to Peace Between the Israelis and Palestinians/An Inside Look at the Geneva Accord and the Israeli Peace Movement."

Elizabeth native Gila Svirsky, who was raised in an Orthodox home and made aliyah in 1966, and Steven David Masters, from Philadelphia - who was, as he put it, "one of the few Jews who got to witness the ceremony in Geneva" - will head the program.

"There's growing support in Israel for ending the occupation" claimed Svirsky, citing a newspaper poll from last December - and explaining her motivation in speaking to groups in the U.S.

"I have been involved for many years with the peace movement out of my love for Israel and what Zionism is all about," she said, speaking from Philadelphia.

And she has not been shy in her quest for audiences- as evidenced by this undated solicitation letter: "This is a request to invite me to your home, synagogue, temple, or wherever you like, to talk about politics in the Middle East.

"I want to specifically address Jewish audiences and look critically at current Israeli policies from the perspective of concern about Israel and its welfare.

"I would also like to suggest ways in which Jews can play an important role in getting to peace- and thereby ensure both the security and the democratic character of Israeli society."

Her trip to the U.S., she explained, is being underwritten by Pendle Hill (Quaker Center for Study and Contemplation, Wallingford. Pa.) inconjunction with Swarthmore Colege, outside Philadelphia, where she spoke on Feb. 12.

"For me. Zionism is about the state of Israel being a light unto the nations," she emphasized. "It is not fulfilling that role" lamented the co-founder in Israel of the Coalition of Women for Peace, comprised of nine different peace organizations.

Masters has his own lament. The Bush administration, he said, "has downplayed these initiatives," opting to focus on the roadmap." The U.S., he said, "has really been the last holdout."

According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, for instance. Secretary of State Cohn Powell was quoted as appreciating - but dismissing the effort, with the comment: "There are no shortcuts on the way to peace.

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency also reported how 'popular support for the Geneva proposal seems to be growing in Israel, but the government remains adamantly opposed. On the Palestinian side, the agreement's main advocates have run into strong and sometimes violent opposition.

"That's why we're engaged in a broadbased grassroots campaign." Masters explained - an explanation echoed by Svirsky.

I would love American Jews to understand it's in Israel's best interest to end control of the disputed land)," she stressed.

In amplify his involvement in this effort, Masters explained how he is "a board member, national spokesman and national chair for advocacy and public policy for Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace.' As such, he said, he and top officers of the organization witnessed the ceremony in Geneva.

Now, to promote it. "We have launched a national grassroots campaign on behalf of the 'spirit of Geneva.'''

Btit Tzedek, it is explained on the group's wehsite, "provides a platform for Jews (in the U.S.) to articulate their belief that the ongoing conflict threatens Israel's security, severely damages its economy, and erodes the values that underlie a democratic society.

Overall,"I have been doing this kind of work since I lived in Israel in the mid-80s at the time of the fledgling peace movement:' said Masters - whose days are spent as a staff attorney with the Philadelphia City Council." I always had a strong connection with Israel."

I was brought up in a strong Zionist home in the Chicago suburbs. Israel has always been a major part of my life."

As it has been for Svirsky -who has been speaking in this region in support of an end to the occupation. "Two-thirds of all Israelis say we must leave the territories and negotiate a peace with the Palestinians," she said.

Svirsky's goal is to persuade Jews in the U.S. to play a role in promoting that objective - and to help Israel return to its original ideals and principles.

This can be done, she suggested, "by speaking out about it, writing letters to the editor and talking to others." In short, she said to be part of "a growing movement to return what Israel is all about?

Svirsky - recipient of two major peace prizes who spoke to the UN Security Council last October on the role of women in peace negotiations" - is optimistic.

I think we're going to see peace in our lifetimes," she predicted. "This is no insoluble conflict, but it will take everybody coming to realize that it is better for Israel to separate (from territories) and better for Jews to work for the best possible society we can imagine (rather) than trying to figure out how to control more land."

An excited Mintz reflected enthusiastically on the upcoming Peretz program.

"I think it's really important to broaden discussion in the Jewish community," he said. "We are encouraging all folks in our community (Jewish and non-Jewish) and all gmups to come and engage in the discussion.

"The reality is that peace has not been achieved and so people need to think about avenues for finding peace.

"This is one of those avenues."