Alerts

Conflict Resolution through Cultural Diplomacy in the Middle East

Peace cannot emanate only from documents signed by leaders alone, but from mutual good faith and credibility among the peoples for whom the agreements are signed.
Share this

Table of Contents

Vol. 13, No. 14     29 May 2013

Address by Alan Baker to a conference in Istanbul on
“Conflict Mediation through Cultural Diplomacy in Current Areas of Conflict”

  • Peace cannot emanate only from documents signed by leaders alone, but from mutual good faith and credibility among the peoples for whom the agreements are signed.
  • The UN resolutions adopted with a view to elaborating a culture of peace are most important and constitute the genuine implementation of the aims and purposes of the UN Charter. These resolutions need to be given greater attention.
  • Regrettably, other resolutions emanating from the UN General Assembly and other bodies are partisan and politically-loaded, and are perceived to be the face of the UN. These resolutions serve to undermine any positive, credible, and serious role for the UN in the Middle East peace process, and in fact damage the capability of the organization to play such a role.
  • In order for cultural diplomacy to succeed, practically, it needs to include, first and foremost, an acknowledgment by political and religious leaders that peace, justice, and mutual respect are basic values in all religions, as well as central assumptions in international law and diplomacy.
  • There must also be an end to negative public propaganda. Media and social networking should be used to advocate mutual respect, rather than the opposite. Furthermore, there should be acknowledgment of the rights of all indigenous peoples to their indigenous lands, resources, and properties.

jib1

On May 9, 2013, Ambassador Alan Baker (Israel) (at right) addressed a conference in Istanbul, Turkey, on “Conflict Mediation through Cultural Diplomacy in Current Areas of Conflict.”

Over the past 30 years I have been a participant in virtually all Track I peace negotiations with Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinians, involved in negotiating and drafting peace-process documents – peace treaties, interim agreements, and the rest.

Peace cannot emanate only from documents signed by leaders alone, but from mutual good faith and credibility among the peoples for whom the agreements are signed.

All the Middle East peace negotiations have, from the start, always aimed at neighborly, mutually respectful, “people-to-people” relationships, and each agreement includes appropriate provisions on mutual respect of religious beliefs that can serve as guidance to others. Our agreements include provisions for free access and respect for holy sites, respect for and upkeep of graves and memorials for fallen soldiers, and respect for religious beliefs and practices.

The UN Role

The aims of this conference were set out in the preliminary documentation, including the “Mideast Peace Process Berlin Initiative.” The UN resolutions adopted with a view to elaborating a culture of peace, as listed in the Berlin Initiative document, are most important and constitute the genuine implementation of the aims and purposes of the UN Charter as set out in its first two articles. These resolutions need to be given greater attention, visibility, ongoing review, and accentuation.

These resolutions include, inter alia:

  • Promoting Religious and Cultural Understanding, Harmony and Cooperation (UN General Assembly resolution 58/128)
  • Elimination of All Forms of Religious Intolerance (UN General Assembly resolution 59/199)
  • UN Millennium Declaration: Principles of the UN Year of Dialogue among Civilizations (UN General Assembly resolution 53/22)
  • Culture of Peace (UN General Assembly resolution 53/243)
  • Dialogue among Civilizations (UN General Assembly resolution 56/6)
  • Madrid Declaration (December 2000)
  • Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (UN General Assembly resolution 53/25)
  • Protection of Religious Sites (UN General Assembly resolution 55/254)
  • Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace (UN General Assembly resolution 60/L.4)
  • Promotion of Interreligious Dialogue (UN General Assembly resolution 59/23)
  • Rights of Indigenous People (UN General Assembly resolution 61/295)

Regrettably, other resolutions emanating from the UN General Assembly and other bodies are partisan and politically-loaded resolutions that constitute the brunt of its work and attract the public attention, and are perceived to be the face of the UN. These resolutions, in addition to overshadowing the above important resolutions, also serve to undermine any positive, credible, and serious role for the UN in the Middle East peace process, and in fact damage the capability of the organization to play such a role.

Such General Assembly activity in fact is unrelated to much of the positive activity on the culture of peace. Examples of this are numerous resolutions calling for total removal of Israel’s presence in the West Bank areas of Judea and Samaria, in total denial of the indigenous rights of the Jewish people to their lands and properties.

The “Arab Spring”

Any of the hoped-for new developments in the Arab world that could have benefited from cultural diplomacy have regrettably given way to an increased lack of stability across the region as well as in the individual countries. How could any agreement involving transfer of territory be seriously contemplated, when faced with the lack of stability and the likelihood that an Arab government or leadership could fall or be removed within months or even days?

The Conflict in the Middle East

The Israel-Palestinian issue is but one item in a wave of instability throughout the entire region, and not, as widely held and described in the Berlin Initiative document, the major cause of regional instability.

The crisis in Syria, and the situation in Egypt, Yemen, Libya and other flashpoints have absolutely no linkage to the Israel-Palestinian issue, and any attempt to attribute to Israel responsibility for other conflicts is misguided.

The potential for a peaceful diplomatic and cultural solution between Israel and the Palestinians already exists in the various agreements already reached between the two sides that are still valid, and can serve as an example to others. This is not the case with the other points of conflict.

Cultural Diplomacy and the Aims of This Conference

The goal of this conference, as set out in the Berlin Initiative document, is to “define Track III Cultural Diplomacy and its relevance to the Middle East peace process and its importance as a model for conflicts around the globe,” and the “search for common values and principles in the arenas of religion, law and education among the conflicting parties to the dispute” – this is indeed the crux of what cultural diplomacy must do.

In order for it to succeed, practically, it needs to include a compilation of those elements covered in the various UN resolutions listed above on aspects of cultural diplomacy, including:

  1. First and foremost, and as an appropriate sign to the general public, an acknowledgment by political and religious leaders that peace, justice, and mutual respect are basic values in all religions, as well as central assumptions in international law and diplomacy. Negative public pronouncements against other peoples and religions by religious and lay personalities and leaders must end.
  2. Mutual, reciprocal acceptance and respect by each religion of the others, whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Bahai or any other.
  3. Ongoing spiritual and practical dialogue among religious leaders, clergy, and lay leaders to establish common principles and interests among their communities.
  4. Ending religious incitement and hatred through appropriate guidelines for religious leaders, clergy and other religious staff, such that all places of worship of all religions become centers for positive and constructive religious interaction and tolerance, rather than centers for hatred and incitement of the masses.
  5. Educational programs geared to home, kindergarten, school and college, towards mutual respect and acceptance.
  6. Ending negative public propaganda. Use of media and social networking to advocate mutual respect, rather than the opposite.
  7. Acknowledgment of the rights of all indigenous peoples to their indigenous lands, resources, and properties.
  8. Enabling unfettered religious and cultural tourism and visiting holy sites.

Conclusion

These must be the components of any practical and viable road map for cultural diplomacy and peace. They all emanate from UN General Assembly resolutions on the culture of peace. This compilation needs to be expanded at future meetings with practical measures to attain positive results. As a Track I negotiator I’ll be happy to lend my hand and assist in this endeavor.

jib2

Amb. Alan Baker

Amb. Alan Baker is Director of the Institute for Contemporary Affairs at the Jerusalem Center and the head of the Global Law Forum. He participated in the negotiation and drafting of the Oslo Accords with the Palestinians, as well as agreements and peace treaties with Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon. He served as legal adviser and deputy director-general of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as Israel’s ambassador to Canada.
Share this

Subscribe to Daily Alert

The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Related Items

Stay Informed, Always

Get the latest news, insights, and updates directly in your inbox—be the first to know!

Subscribe to Jerusalem Issue Briefs
The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.







Notifications

The Jerusalem Center
What makes a child believe killing a #Jew is justified?

In PA textbooks, Jews are called liars and frauds; their fate: elimination. This is #indoctrination—not #education. But change is happening. On East to West, @IMPACT_SE CEO Marcus Sheff exposes how #UNRWA-funded schools are fueling extremism—and what real reform looks like.  Listen now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2JHqh973U  Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/8OkJTGNfVUc

11:43am
The Jerusalem Center
Highlights from the @Jerusalem_Post Annual Conference in NYC:

Dr. @Dan_Diker, President of the JCFA: “October 7 wasn’t just an attack on Israel — it was a blow to the U.S. on Israeli soil. It demands moral clarity and a united front between Israel and the U.S. to defeat jihadist terror.”

2:20pm
The Jerusalem Center
@XAVIAERD says it like it is

Well, @XAVIAERD says it like it is: If you’re part of “#Queers for #Palestine,” he’ll pay for your flight to #Gaza. Go see for yourself how they treat LGBTQ+ people over there. Don’t miss this bold take on the Israel-Hamas war and the woke right.

2:32pm
The Jerusalem Center
“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.”

“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.” On Our Middle East by @JNS_org, @Dan_Diker@KhaledAbuToameh (JCFA/@GatestoneInst) break it down: If Hamas isn’t crushed, Iran wins. The jihadis—from #Gaza to your campus—get the green light. Diker: “This war is for the West.” No fluff. No filters. Just raw insight from two insiders who actually know what’s going on.  Watch: youtu.be/4Aq_zcbb4Yo

2:15pm
The Jerusalem Center
5/5 Lt. Col. Kalo on East to West with @smartinezamir:

“This operation showcases Israel’s strategic intelligence superiority both regionally and globally. It demonstrates the moral commitment to recovered soldiers and also strengthens Israel’s position with allies.” youtube.com/watch?v=nIvNNi

2:07pm
The Jerusalem Center
4/5 The operation built on intelligence gathered during the 2019 #Baumel recovery

#Mossad agents operated under cover in #Syria for years, visiting a graveyard multiple times under fire to collect remains for DNA matching. The intelligence community’s evolution combines technology, big data analysis, and human intelligence capabilities.

2:02pm
The Jerusalem Center
3/5 This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from #Hamas in #Gaza, significantly boosting national morale amid an ongoing conflict now stretching over 18 months. The dual successes demonstrate #Israel‘s unwavering commitment to bringing all soldiers home.

1:58pm
The Jerusalem Center
2/5 The operation used the power vacuum following #Assad’s fall from #Damascus

Lt. Col. Avi Kalo, former head of IDF Prisoners & Missing Persons Division, calls it “an outstanding event that brings hope and new spirit to the people of Israel.” The operation utilized the power vacuum following #Assad‘s fall from #Damascus, allowing #Israeli intelligence to deploy ground capabilities in #Syria.

1:56pm
The Jerusalem Center
1/5 Israeli forces recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi Feldman

In an unprecedented operation, Israeli forces have recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi #Feldman, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub. The complex #Mossad mission was conducted deep within #Syrian territory, 43 years after his disappearance. This follows the successful 2019 recovery of Zachary #Baumel from the same battle.

1:54pm
The Jerusalem Center
A molotov attack on a bus = a “barbecue party”?

That’s what #Palestinian kids are being taught under @UNRWA  — from grade school to graduation. This isn’t education. It’s indoctrination. Marcus Sheff of @IMPACT_SE  breaks it down with @smartinezamir

12:51pm

Close