Israeli peace activist Avi Buskila says China's creative thinking to help advance Israeli-Palestinian peace process. (Xinhua Photo)
JERUSALEM, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's creative thinking is expected to facilitate a solution to the deadlocked Israeli-Palestinian peace process, the head of a major Israeli peace organization told Xinhua in a recent interview.
Avi Buskila, director general of Peace Now, said it is "very important" for China, one of the biggest countries in the world, to become part of the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"It was very exciting to hear it. We expect one of the leaders of the world to be part of that solution because we know what it means to our economy, security, diplomatic and international relationship," said Buskila.
He was commenting on the four-point proposal on resolving the Palestinian issue that was put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his meeting with visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Beijing in July.
The proposal reiterated China's firm support for political settlement of the Palestinian issue on the basis of the two-state solution, and for the establishment of an independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
It also highlighted the importance of enhancing international coordination to achieve peace between Israel and Palestine, while calling for supporting Palestine's economic development by aiding projects within the framework of China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Under the proposal, China also offered to host a symposium on the Israeli-Palestinian peace later this year and launch a tripartite dialogue mechanism with Palestine and Israel, in order to create necessary conditions for resuming the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
China's view of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict is "really a new change in the game," Buskila said.
"We have to think what is better for both Israel and Palestine. We have to stop the killing circle," he said.
Buskila welcomed China's offer to hold a symposium of peace activists from both Palestine and Israel within this year to discuss how to solve the Palestinian issue, adding that he would like to attend if invited.
"Seventy percent of the Israelis have never been in the West Bank. They don't know how a Palestinian looks like. When they meet them they will understand that the Palestinians are exactly like the Israelis," said Buskila.
He pointed out that the people-to-people communication between Israelis and Palestinians has stagnated for decades, which is detrimental to the peace process.
To Buskila, both Israel and Palestine should put an end to the propaganda aimed at inciting hatred and fear against each other.
"After years of propaganda the Israeli public is afraid (of Palestinians)...I really hope Israel and the Palestinian (National) Authority can work together, and probably China can bring about the change," said Buskila.
In his opinion, this propaganda has also been hurting the young population in Palestine, he noted.
"For many (Palestinian) youngsters, there is nothing to do except hating the big demon called Israel. Growing up in an environment without proper education and opportunities but full of hatred is very bad for the future generation," he added.
On China's offer to launch the China-Palestine-Israel dialogue mechanism to coordinate on major projects aiding the Palestinians within China's Belt and Road Initiative, Buskila said it is "a very creative way" to help the Palestinians.
The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by President Xi in 2013, aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa.
"It can bring them hope, technology and knowledge," Buskila said.
Peace Now, founded in 1978, is the largest and longest-standing Israeli movement advocating for Israeli-Palestinian peace through public pressure. It supports the two-state solution and has been organizing peace demonstrations, lectures and campaigns to educate the public and protest against Israel's settlement expansion.
