Palestinian Territory

Palestinian Advertisements in Israeli Paper to Promote Peace

Palestine President, Mahmoud Abbas, placed advertisements in several Israeli newspapers. These advertisements were published in Hebrew and promote an agreement to bring peace to the area. The advertisement laid out what Israel would have to do in order to secure Arab cooperation with the arrangement. Israel has recognized that the plan has some strong points. Others remain skeptical that this peace agreement could be effective arguing that Palestine, in particular, is unable to achieve peace internally let alone with Israel. Likewise, the response from Arab states was mixed with both critics and supporters of this political move.

Presidents Abbas’ placement of an advertisement in several Israeli newspapers can be clearly evaluated from the liberal perspective. Rather than resort to military conflict to encourage behavior President Abbas has instead chosen a more diplomatic approach to the situation. What is particularly interesting is that President Abbas has chosen to extend this diplomatic hand to the people of Israel. Through this direct appeal to the people perhaps he is trying to persuade public opinion and, in turn, to persuade the Israeli government towards peace. This move to reach out to the public rather than keep peace negotiations ‘secret’ and ‘behind closed doors’ could very well sway the Israeli public.

Liberal

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/11/200811201071402663.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7739198.stm

November 21, 2008 at 12:40 pm