The Elders in Palestine

The Elders hear first hand about life in Gaza, Bil'in and East Jerusalem:

"The Elders were unable to visit Gaza but spoke with young people and others via video link. They then went to the West Bank village of Bil'in where a local protest movement against the separation wall is gaining momentum. In the evening they visited a Palestinian family in East Jerusalem evicted from their homes by Israeli authorities."



The Elders in the West Bank: Checkpoints and politics:

"On the second day of their visit, the Elders met Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem as well as Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad in Ramallah. On their way to the West Bank, they stopped at the Qalandia checkpoint, where hundreds of Palestinians line up daily to cross into Israel under tight security. There they met Zaina who has made the crossing many times to go to school. Zaina joined other young Palestinians in conversation with the Elders later in the day to express their frustrations with the current situation and their hopes for peace."



Desmond Tutu's message to activists: Good will prevail:

"Desmond Tutu shares his words of encouragement for those fighting for what they believe to be right."



And an interview of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on Al-Jazeera

Carter urges halt to Israeli settlement building - 27 Aug 09:

"Former US President Jimmy Carter says a freeze on Israeli settlements is 'absolutely necessary' to achieving peace in the Middle East.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Carter, who is currently visiting Israel as a member of the group known as the 'Elders', spoke about his views on the prospects for Middle East peace.

His comments come as Barack Obama, the US president, attempts to seal an Arab-Israeli peace deal that has eluded the region for more than six decades.

His administration has already made it clear it opposes the ongoing building of Jewish settlements on Palestinian land occupied since 1967.

Hundreds of thousands of homes have been constructed by Israel despite international condemnation and in contravention of international law."



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