The Jewish Academic Network for Israeli-Palestinian Peace (JANIP) is being created to bring together scholars, teachers, and administrators who reject the increasingly polarized debate surrounding the Palestinian–Israeli conflict. Our goal is to bring a voice into the conversation – out of our identification with and commitment to Israel – that supports a negotiated two-state solution, an end to occupation, and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and bilaterally agreed-upon settlements in the West Bank.
Specifically, we believe in:
- The right of both peoples to self-determination within recognized, secure borders
- The concept of civil society in which conflicts are resolved without violence; terrorism or other extra-legal activities to which both the Palestinians and the Israelis are held strictly accountable
- Direct negotiations and mutual accommodation as the route to a true and enduring peace between the two societies.
Many, if not all, campus-based debates dealing with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict have been reduced to a simplified choice: either uncompromisingly pro-Israel or pro-Palestinian, with little or no consideration of the competing rightful claims of the other side. As a result, more critical perspectives and dialogue have become virtually impossible.
We believe that it is our responsibility as scholars and teachers to inject a voice of realism and moderation back into the public debate through public statements, op-ed articles, position papers, conferences, and other activities and to support other academics, students and members of the community who share these views.
