Engaging diverse perspectives on the Gaza conflict, February 2024
Between 19-24 February, Oliver and Jordan completed 25 high-level meetings in Amman, Jerusalem, Ramallah and Hebron. They held meetings with:
Cross-party Israeli Ministers, MKs, Advisors and Chiefs of Staff from: Likud, Shas, Yest Atid, Labor and national religious parties
Palestinian academics, ministers, independent political leaders and members of the Fatah Central Committee
Senior officials from Jordan, France, UK, US and the United Nations
Both Israelis and Palestinians remain deeply traumatised. Their conversations focused on diverse perspectives on the current conflict in Gaza.
The visit highlighted the worrying potential for the situation to rapidly deteriorate with several concerns raised about a potential ground assault in Rafah. Concerns were also raised about the expansion of the war on the Northern border with Lebanon.
In Ramallah, the conditions and treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons were raised as one issue that could spark widespread violence in the West Bank. Similarly, the planned restrictions on access to the Al Aqsa mosque compound during Ramadan remains a cause of deep concern, which was shared by some officials we met. Important themes raised also included the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, Gaza’s post-war governance and rebuilding, and forthcoming Palestinian cross-factional political meetings.
Meeting in the Knesset with Kobi Gavriel, Advisor to Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Rabbi Shemtov Menachem.
Meeting Qadora Ferris, Minister for Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs.
Meeting with Ambassador Majdi Khaldi, who has served as the Diplomatic Advisor to President Mahmoud Abbas since 2006.
Meeting Ariel Morali, Director of the Menachem Begin Heritage Centre.