Gershon
Gershon
Gershon Baskin is one of the most recognizable names in the Middle East Peace process. He is a political and social entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to peace between Israel and its neighbors. His dedication to creating a culture of peace and environmental awareness, coupled with his impeccable integrity, has earned him the trust of the leaders of all sides of the century old conflict. Few people have such far-reaching and positive impacts on promoting peace, security, prosperity and bi-national relationships. Gershon is an advisor to Israeli, Palestinian and International Prime Ministers on the Middle East Peace Process and the founder and director of IPCRI, the Israeli-Palestinian Public Policy Institute. He was the initiator and negotiator of the secret back channel between Israel and Hamas for the release of 1,027 prisoners – mainly Palestinians and Arab-Israelis of which 280 were sentenced to life in prison, including Yahya Sinwar, the current Palestinian leader of the Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The prisoners were imprisoned for planning and perpetrating various attacks against Jewish targets that resulted in the killing of 569 Israelis in exchange for one Israeli soldier, Gilad Schalit. Gershon is actively involved in research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, environmental security, political strategy, peace education, economics, culture and in the development of affordable solar projects with the goal of providing clean electricity for 50 million people by 2020. He is a founding member of Kol Ezraheiha-Kol Muwanteneiha (All of the Citizens) political party in Israel. He is now directing The Holy Land Bond and is the Middle East Director for ICO – International Communities Organization - a UK based NGO working in conflict zones with failed peace processes.
Articles by Gershon:
The State of the Negotiations
Posted on: 19 Dec 2024
Gershon Baskin shares his insights regarding the nature of the negotiations, and claims that there has never been a situation like the one we are in and these negotiations are different from all previous negotiations.
The Golan Heights Peace Park
Posted on: 19 Dec 2024
Gershon Baskin feels that an Israel-Syria Golan Peace Park would make a genuine contribution to peace and prosperity by reducing conflict between the two countries and by creating a safe and secure space for communities promoting peaceful coexistence.
The state if negotiations
Posted on: 09 Dec 2024
Gershon Baskin feels that what needs to happen is an end to the war, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, an end to the blockade on the Strip, and the release of all hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners according to an agreed-upon formula.
A Sober Assessment
Posted on: 05 Dec 2024
Gershon Baskin senses that now is the time for the people of Israel and the people of Palestine to create the Israeli-Palestinian Alliance for the Implementation of the Two States solution
Gaza negotiations
Posted on: 27 Nov 2024
Gershon Baskin outlines what can and should be in any agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza and to return the hostages.
Ceasefire!!
Posted on: 27 Nov 2024
Gershon Baskin firmly believes that ALL of the people living between the River and the Sea must enjoy the same right to the same rights. and that there are no other options if Israel wants to survive and live in peace in the Middle East.
No agreement
Posted on: 25 Nov 2024
Gershon Baskin claims that he has access to no less than eight senior Hamas officials who would be willing to communicate with him if Ihe were given permission and authority to negotiate
How Palestinians can help to end the war in Gaza.
Posted on: 19 Nov 2024
Gershon Baskin believes that the Palestinians can help to end the war in Gaza by moving forward on the Gaza governance issue without any negotiations with Israel.
Danger: Don’t think that Trump will save Israel if Israel tries to commit political suicide.
Posted on: 16 Nov 2024
Gershon Baskin warns us not to think that Trump will save Israel if Israel tries to commit political suicide.
Negotiations
Posted on: 10 Nov 2024
Gershon Baskin believes that there is room for negotiations and possibilities for reaching agreements, but the negotiations must be ongoing without stop and they must be conducted as directly as possible