Details of the ‘Geneva Understanding’
Following are the main points of the so-called Geneva Understanding initialed this week in Jordan following informal talks between a group of Israeli political activists led by Yossi Beilin and a Palestinian group led by former Palestinian Authority information minister Yasser Abed Rabbo. The understandings, part of a 60-page draft that its authors describe as a potential peace treaty, are to be signed November 4 at a ceremony in Geneva.
• The Palestinians will effectively concede implementation of the right of return. Some refugees will remain in the countries where they now live; others will be absorbed by the P.A.; some will be absorbed by third countries, and some will receive financial compensation. A limited number will be allowed to settle in Israel, subject to Israel’s sovereign agreement, but this will not be defined as realization of the right of return.
• The Palestinians will recognize Israel as the state of the Jewish people.
• Israel will withdraw to the 1967 borders, except for certain territorial exchanges, as described below.
• Jerusalem will be divided, with Arab neighborhoods of East Jerusalem becoming part of the Palestinian state. Jewish neighborhoods of East Jerusalem, as well as the West Bank suburbs of Givat Ze’ev, Ma’ale Adumim and the historic part of Gush Etzion — but not Efrat — will be part of Israel.
• The Temple Mount will be Palestinian, but an international force will ensure freedom of access for visitors of all faiths. Jewish prayer will not be permitted on the mount, nor will archaeological digs. The Western Wall will remain under Jewish sovereignty, and the “Holy Basin” will be under international supervision.
• The settlements of Ariel, Efrat and Har Homa will be part of the Palestinian state. In addition, Israel will transfer parts of the Negev adjacent to Gaza, not including
Halutza, to the Palestinians in exchange for the parts of the West Bank it will receive.
• The Palestinians will pledge to prevent terror and incitement and disarm all militias. Their state will be demilitarized. Border crossings will be supervised by an international, but not Israeli, force.
• The agreement will replace all United Nations resolutions and previous agreements.
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