OneVoice Israel Launches Campaign about the Costs of the Status Quo

NEW YORK, April 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The OneVoice Movement is deeply disappointed by the reported impasse in the negotiations. Israelis and Palestinians do not want their leaders to abandon hope for a negotiated two-state solution, which is the only viable solution for ending the conflict and the occupation and which is supported by majorities on both sides. We call on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to pursue serious negotiations on a basis that will yield the concrete progress that their people expect and deserve. Now more than ever, the OneVoice Movement is determined to continue its efforts to empower and mobilize Israelis and Palestinians to propel their leaders toward this goal.

Today, OneVoice Israel launched its "Peace, It Also Pays Off" campaign to remind Israelis of what is at stake and of the choice Israel faces between continued conflict or a more secure and prosperous future. Matching aggressive social media outreach with innovative billboard and bus stop ads throughout central Israel, "Peace, It Also Pays Off" asks Israelis to consider how they would rather spend 32 billion shekels—the amount the conflict costs Israel each year at the expense of social and economic programs.

Based on data and analysis from some of the most respected research institutions in Israel, including Netanya College, the Molad Center, and the Adva Center, "Peace, It Also Pays Off" highlights the positive impact an agreement with the Palestinians will have on the daily economic issues Israelis care about most—from affordable housing to food prices, from the job market to healthcare. "Peace, It Also Pays Off" challenges those Israelis who are frustrated with the stagnation in social and economic justice to make their voices heard, pressing for an agreement that ends the conflict and promotes a more prosperous future for their country.

In parallel, OneVoice Palestine is continuing its "Wake Up: What is Your Role?" campaign to energize the centrist Palestinian mainstream to take their future into their own hands. Through youth initiatives, TV and radio shows, town hall meetings, political roundtables, and issue-based discussions, the campaign aims to break the state of apathy about negotiations and demonstrate that non-violent activism can be successful in securing Palestinian rights while connecting everyday Palestinians to their leaders.

To learn more about these campaigns and the OneVoice Movement's other cutting-edge grassroots activities, visit our new digital platform at onevoicemovement.org.

About the OneVoice Movement:

OneVoice is an international grassroots movement that amplifies the voice of mainstream Israelis and Palestinians, empowering them to propel their elected representatives toward the two-state solution. The Movement works to forge consensus for conflict resolution and build a human infrastructure capable of mobilizing the people toward a negotiated, comprehensive and permanent agreement between Israel and Palestine that ends the occupation, ensures security and peace for both sides, and solves all final-status issues in accordance with international law and previous bilateral agreements. The 1967 borders form the basis for the establishment of an independent, viable Palestinian state, with permanent borders and any modifications to be agreed upon by both parties. The Movement recognizes that violence by either side will never be a means to end the conflict.

You can follow OneVoice on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

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SOURCE The OneVoice Movement