OneVoice Activists Back Palestinian State on 1967 Lines

NEW YORK, June 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- OneVoice activists spread thousands of Palestinian flags and flyers with the headline, "Self-determination and statehood is a right and duty," throughout the West Bank this week, backing a Palestinian state based on the 1967 lines.

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Dozens of Palestinian OneVoice activists descended on the streets of Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, Qalqilya, and Ramallah on Monday in commemoration of Naksa Day, marking 44 years of Israeli occupation. Met with enthusiasm from the public, OneVoice activists extended their initiative through Thursday, reaching thousands. They said Palestinian police supported their action. 

"We wanted to remind Palestinians who are commemorating 44 years of Israeli occupation to take responsibility for ending the occupation through nonviolent means and establishing a Palestinian state based on the '67 lines at peace with all its neighbors," said Abdullah Hamarsheh, OneVoice Palestine Youth Program director.

The flyer called for all final status issues to be resolved according to international resolutions, paving the way for a just, comprehensive and permanent peace agreement with Israel. OneVoice Palestine was the only grassroots movement out on the Palestinian streets, supporting a peaceful resolution to the conflict. 

OneVoice staunchly supports a two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"The parameters for a final peace agreement are known to Israelis and Palestinians alike and supported by much of the international community," said Samer Makhlouf, OneVoice Palestine executive director. "It's now up to both peoples to push for bold steps to end the occupation and achieve lasting peace."

In a parallel action in Israel, OneVoice Israel youth activists joined thousands who marched on Saturday from Rabin Square to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art under the slogan, "Netanyahu said no - we say yes to a Palestinian state."

The Labor Party, Hadash, Kadima, Meretz, and several Israeli peace organizations organized the rally in response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to the United States Congress, negatively reacting to President Barack Obama calling for the borders of a Palestinian state to be based on the '67 lines. 

"It was important to be there, to raise the Israeli flag, and give Netanyahu inspiration for a truly courageous peace initiative, which will succeed with the Palestinian people and not just in front of Congress," said Tal Harris, OneVoice Israel executive director. 

OneVoice is an international grassroots movement that aims to amplify the voice of Israeli and Palestinian moderates, empowering them to demand a two-state solution. The movement educates and trains Israeli and Palestinian youth in leadership skills, non-violent activism, and democratic principles. To support and contribute to OneVoice, join us at www.onevoicemovement.org.

SOURCE The OneVoice Movement