One Million Voices

Posted October 18th, 2007 at 11:28 am by Daniel Lubetzky, Founder, OneVoice

 7 Comments / Filed in: Conferences/Events, Guest Opinions, Yahoo! For Good

Something incredible is happening in Israel and Palestine. Israelis and Palestinians are unified in demanding decisive action toward peace. As the founder of the OneVoice Movement, a grassroots effort to amplify the voices of moderates on both sides who wish for an end to the Middle East conflict, I can attest this journey hasn’t been an easy one. But we are making progress.

The need to mobilize a global community of voices was becoming ever apparent and timely. Today, we were set to host unprecedented simultaneous ”Peoples’ Summits” in both Tel Aviv and Jericho. Thousands of Israelis and Palestinians had planned to gather to hear from dignitaries, religious leaders, and performers and to deliver messages to their leaders that the time has come to sit down and work toward a two-state solution. Musician Bryan Adams was to headline both concerts, which would be linked via satellite. We’d teamed with Yahoo! to webcast both events, setting the stage for individuals around the world to take part and make an impact.

Unfortunately, absolutism and violence prevailed yet again.

After a series of violent threats against OneVoice staff and supporters, we made the difficult decision to cancel the two events. All of us were devastated, feeling as though we were giving in to tyranny and letting our members and supporters down. But I realize it isn’t us, but those who have silenced this groundswell of support on the streets who have let their own people down.

I’m happy to report that OneVoice has not been silenced, but rather strengthened, by these events. We will proceed in launching our One Million Voices campaign today despite the obstacles. We have already collected hundreds of thousands of Israeli, Palestinian and international signatures of support, with the ultimate goal of reaching one million. These will help push the Israeli and Palestinian leadership to initiate immediate, uninterrupted negotiations towards reaching a two-state agreement. And, with the U.S.-led meetings scheduled for November, the need for this campaign couldn’t be more critical.

We hope you will join the nearly 600,000 Palestinians and Israelis who stand together in mutual support. Go to video.yahoo.com/onevoice, sign the OneVoice mandate, then encourage friends and family to do the same. Watch Jason Alexander, Elliot Gould, Danny DeVito and Ann Cusack express their support; take a position on Yahoo! Answers questions; and see Flickr images from our activities on the ground. Join us in calling on the leaders of Israel and Palestine to deliver an end to this conflict.

Daniel Lubetzky
Founder of OneVoice

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7 Comments Add your own

gag | October 18th, 2007 at 1:02 pm

I signed the OneVoice mandate.

Hollywood Entertainment Blog | October 19th, 2007 at 4:37 am

i will encourage friends and family to do the same

Alexis Kauffmann | October 20th, 2007 at 6:21 pm

It’s signed! The warlords must lose this game, right now.

Hermann | October 21st, 2007 at 5:09 pm

I am happy that differences can be laid aside.
I hope everybody will experience the indwelling consciousness of GOD , who is above all names and rituals. . H (c:

gromo | October 26th, 2007 at 8:54 am

hello

let hope for good

Douglas Knight | November 1st, 2007 at 2:30 pm

Better read some of the prophecies in the Bible about Israel and the Middle East. Before this is all over, there is going to be all kinds of death and destruction- so much that only the Messiah will be able to stop it or the whole earth will be destroyed. Russia, China, Pan-Islamic Union, and the EU will fight over Jerusalem and oil supplies. By the way the USA isn’t mentioned, so the ones of you who like to see the USA brought down a notch or Pacifist will be happy. Biblical prophecy has been 100% accurate whether or not you’re a Jew, Christian, Islamic, non-believer, etcetera.

Jackson | November 26th, 2008 at 12:29 pm

Daniel,
Great article, thank you. I am quite familiar with the OneVoice Movement and believe it has really found a niche in which to act as a grassroots organization towards conflict resolution by a two-state solution.
I myself support a two-state solution. However the reason for OV supporting a solution is based on the grounds of a 76% consensus from the Negotiation Platform that was conducted in 2002.

I know there has been growing number –albeit not a 76% majority- advocating for a one-state solution. Does OV plan another Negotiation Platform in the near future for measuring the shift in opinion that may have occurred? If a Negotiation Platform did take place and there was insufficient consensus what would OV’s action be? If a one-state solution became the most popular resolution is this something that OV would follow and change for the movement?

You may find this website and campaign interesting http://december18th.org/ It is Israeli high school students who have been imprisoned for refusing to serve in an army that occupies the Palestinian Territories. As OV is also a ‘youth led’ movement I had wondered if OV Israel was involved with the Shministim in anyway and whether Israeli OV members were encouraged to conscientiously object and offered support during the experience.

You can sign the petition and support them by clicking on the website http://december18th.org/ – I believe to be an inspirational and brave what these young Israelis are doing.