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The Geneva Initiative (2003–2009)

Location
Geneva, Switzerland
Date
2003-12-01
People
Yasser Abed Rabbo, PLO: Author, Yossi Beilin, Israel: Author
An unofficial draft proposal for a permanent status agreement to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, prepared in 2003 by a joint Israeli-Palestinian team headed by Palestinian minister Yasser Abed Rabbo and former Israeli Justice Minister Yossi Beilin, and sponsored by the Swiss government. The initiative references both the 2000 Clinton Parameters and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. The main principles contained in the initiative are: the end of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and resolution of all outstanding demands on both sides; mutual recognition of Jewish and Palestinian self-determination in Israel and Palestine respectively; borders based on the 4 June 1967 lines (Green Line) with agreed territorial exchange; division of Jerusalem along ethnic lines, including the Old City; resolution of the Palestinian refugee issue primarily through resettlement in Palestine, with other countries including Israel accepting a limited number of refugees; and demilitarization of the Palestinian state. In 2009, several annexes were added to the initiative, with specific details as to the implementation of the principles laid down in the original document. The initiative was not adopted officially by either side.