A group of Israelis and Palestinians worked to build on the peace efforts of the Clinton administration. This group, lead by former Israeli Prime Minister Beilin and former Palestinian deputy minister of information and culture Yasser Abed Rabbo, contacted Carter to work with them.
Carter met with Beilin, who told him their goal was to issue a peace proposal without either government that would be acceptable to both sides. This plan was called the Geneva Initiative.
The plan includes secure borders and recognition by the Arab world for Israel. The dividing border would be based on the lines established in 1967, but will allow Israel to keep some of its larger settlements.
The Geneva Initiative is an unofficial document that has not been formally approved by either country. Sharon condemned the document outright, while Arafat agreed with the spirit of the process, but not the wording of the final document.
As a result of the plan, Israel’s cabinet called for the disengagement from the Gaza Strip.
Already have an account? Log In Now