On 22nd March 2022, the Geneva Initiative convened a conference entitled ‘Between Kyiv and Ramallah’ to explore the most pertinent questions emerging from the War in Ukraine and its implications for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The following speakers addressed the conference, moderated by veteran radio host, Razi Barkai:
- Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Nachman Shai
- Former Palestinian Minister for Prisoners Affairs, Ashraf al-Ajrami
- Former MK and Middle East Expert, Ksenia Svetlova
- Deputy Chief Editor of Haaretz, Noa Landau
Ashraf al-Ajrami urged the audience of over 150 Israelis, including journalists, young leaders, students, civil society leaders, former negotiators:
“We must do everything to end the conflict, we must do everything to live next to each other peacefully, or we will descend into a situation that is even worse than in the Ukraine. You have a partner in Ramallah. Talk to him.”
Noa referred to three arenas in which the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may feel the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war in relation to diplomatic tools such as sanctions, the role of international law and the significance of the refugee issue. She also touched on the way the Israeli media reports on the conflict.
Ksenia delved into the issue of narratives and how each party to the conflict, whether it’s Israel, the Palestinians, Russia or the Ukraine all view themselves as the victim. She said this may have significance for trying to understand the perspectives of the other side, including the national and political narratives.
Minister Nachman Shai spoke about the considerations Israel is making about Ukranian refugees, and on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict said:
“We in the government are in an almost desperate attempt to at least delay the trends of annexation and expansion of the settlements. If we were not in the government – we would go in that direction.”
You can watch a recording of the livestream in Hebrew here.
