JERUSALEM: BATTLE FOR THE HOLY LAND PART 5 OF 6

-Prospects For Peace-

As the occupation continues, the divide widens, bitterness grows and any prospect of peace seems like a mirage. For Rod Liddle, the key lies in Israel’s commitment – or otherwise – to the principles of democracy.

Paddy Ashdown, who has long experience of divided cities, like Belfast and Sarajevo, where communities have been torn apart by politics, economics and religion, is looking for some building blocks on which a future peace could be constructed. He believes that five elements are necessary for any prospect of peace.

The first ingredient of his recipe for peace is for Jerusalem, this city which is so central to the past, present and future of both peoples, to be the first item on the negotiating table, not the last.

His second ingredient is a recognition that Jerusalem has a shared history, and is not just the location of disparate and conflicting histories. This means both sides must accept the other’s right to exist, and face the painful truth that terrible things have been done: crimes have been committed by both sides, such as the massacre of Jews by Arabs at Gush Etzion and the massacre of Palestinians by Jews at Deir Yassin.