Middle East – we need a new and fairer peace process
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As we watch men and women across the Arab world demonstrate for freedom and basic rights, we must point out that these matters are no less urgent in the West Bank and Gaza. For the Palestinians and for Israel, the need for lasting peace, an end to occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state cannot be ignored. We wrote to the US government urging Washington not to block a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an end to Israeli settlement activity. |
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 Elders Mary Robinson, Ela Bhatt and Jimmy Carter
in Jerusalem, October 2010 |
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Not only did this resolution reflect global consensus, it was consistent with long-standing US policy on the incompatibility of settlement construction with efforts to advance peace. Regrettably, the US vetoed the resolution, an action that stands in contrast to growing calls for freedom, justice and basic human rights echoing today around the Middle East and Maghreb region. In our view, there is an urgent need for a new and fairer peace process. Only a principled stance by the entire international community is likely to bring about a just and secure peace for all Israelis and Palestinians. |
Building a shared future in Cyprus
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 From The Elders' documentary,
“Cyprus: Digging the Past in Search of the Future” |
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| Just a few weeks ago Desmond Tutu and I visited Cyprus and the UK. We were there to launch a new Elders' documentary about the search for the remains of thousands of missing persons killed in conflict and violence in Cyprus during the 1960s and 1970s. We were joined by four wonderful teenagers who appear in the film – two Turkish Cypriots and two Greek Cypriots – who grew up in separate communities, but have come together to try to understand the events of the past and build a better future. |
It is not always easy for these students, who often face suspicion and even animosity about mixing with the 'other side'. Michael Panayi wrote a very moving blog where he talks frankly about the challenges he faces from people who don't think peace is possible. As you can read in my own blog, we left Cyprus a little less optimistic about the current peace negotiations. However, meeting young people as articulate, thoughtful and committed as Thalia, Michael, Idil and Tayfun gives me genuine hope that people can succeed in bringing down barriers between the communities, even if their leaders are dragging their feet. |
South Sudan – welcoming a new nation
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In a historic referendum in January, the people of South Sudan voted to secede from the north of the country. We commend the leaders and people of Sudan for the orderly and peaceful conduct of the poll – no easy feat in the largest country in Africa. South Sudan – which will become Africa's newest country in July – will face many hurdles and we caution that much needs to be done to develop a country where a girl is more likely to die in childbirth than to learn to read or write. As my fellow Elder Graça Machel stated:
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 Elders Graça Machel and Jimmy Carter
in Sudan, October 2007 |
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“It is now up to the leaders in the South to manage the immense expectations of the people for better schools, healthcare and infrastructure and greater economic opportunities, especially for women and youth.” |
Your messages
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Thank you for all your thoughts and ideas. I particularly enjoyed reading a message from Chier from Sudan, who wrote to tell us how he felt as the people of South Sudan cast their vote after many years of war; “It has been a very important moment after a long struggle... Today, the world has given Southerners a chance to determine their fate.” |
Best wishes,
Gro 
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