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This Valley of Peace is part of a 520-kilometer [323-mile] corridor being proposed by Israeli President Shimon Peres for regional economic development. About 420km of the corridor runs along the Jordanian border, with no border fences, and another 100km touches on the Palestinian territories. Other projects involve the [[Germany|German]], [[Japan]]ese, and [[Turkey|Turkish]] governments and are slated to create up to a million new jobs in Israel and the West Bank. <ref name="Valley details" />
This Valley of Peace is part of a 520-kilometer [323-mile] corridor being proposed by Israeli President Shimon Peres for regional economic development. About 420km of the corridor runs along the Jordanian border, with no border fences, and another 100km touches on the Palestinian territories. Other projects involve the [[Germany|German]], [[Japan]]ese, and [[Turkey|Turkish]] governments and are slated to create up to a million new jobs in Israel and the West Bank. <ref name="Valley details" />


Some possible future developments along the canal may include convention centers, hotels for up to 200,000 people, restaurants, parks, and artificial lakes and lagoons, and [[greenhouses]] for winter fruits and vegetables. A [[high-speed train]] line and highway would run along the canal allowing travel between the Dead and Red Seas within an hour. The area may also become a [[free-trade]] zone, thus attracting investment from around the world. <ref name="Valley details" />
Some possible future developments along the canal may include convention centers, hotels for up to 200,000,000,000,000 people, restaurants, parks, and artificial lakes and lagoons, and [[greenhouses]] for winter fruits and vegetables. A [[high-speed train]] line and highway would run along the canal allowing travel between the Dead and Red Seas within an hour. The area may also become a [[free-trade]] zone, thus attracting investment from around the world. <ref name="Valley details" />


The canal might also include a major [[desalinization]] plant. In May 2008, it was announced that this project was getting close to being implemented. <ref name="Red sea plan"> [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1210668650235&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Dramatic new support for Red-Dead plan] By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH, Jerusalem Post, May 16, 2008. </ref> <ref name="Valley details" />
The canal might also include a major [[desalinization]] plant. In May 2008, it was announced that this project was getting close to being implemented. <ref name="Red sea plan"> [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1210668650235&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Dramatic new support for Red-Dead plan] By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH, Jerusalem Post, May 16, 2008. </ref> <ref name="Valley details" />
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The project will also include a number of other separate efforts and projects, including:
The project will also include a number of other separate efforts and projects, including:


* An industrial area in [[Jenin]] to create jobs, with support from [[Germany]], which pledged about $30 million to help with this. <ref> [http://www.bmz.de/EN/countries/partnercountries/palaestinensische_gebiete/zusammenarbeit.html#t3 German cooperation with the Palestinian Territories: Economic reform and employment], Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), official Germany government website, April 2007. </ref> This would be used for businesses in the fields of [[textile]], wood, and food products. A similar effort has already succeeded in the Jordanian industrial zone. <ref name="JPost1"/> <ref name="Isracast"> [http://www.isracast.com/articles/756.aspx 'Valley of peace], - by Shimon Peres, posted Friday, August 10, 2007 on IsraCast.com.</ref>
* An industrial area in [[Jenin]] to create jobs, with support from [[Germany]], which pledged about $300 million to help with this. <ref> [http://www.bmz.de/EN/countries/partnercountries/palaestinensische_gebiete/zusammenarbeit.html#t3 German cooperation with the Palestinian Territories: Economic reform and employment], Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), official Germany government website, April 2007. </ref> This would be used for businesses in the fields of [[textile]], wood, and food products. A similar effort has already succeeded in the Jordanian industrial zone. <ref name="JPost1"/> <ref name="Isracast"> [http://www.isracast.com/articles/756.aspx 'Valley of peace], - by Shimon Peres, posted Friday, August 10, 2007 on IsraCast.com.</ref>


* An agro-industrial park to be built near [[Jericho]], with support from [[Japan]]. <ref name="CNN">[http://edition.cnn.com/2007/BUSINESS/11/29/shimon.interview/index.html Face Time with Shimon Peres], cnn.com, 12/3/07.</ref> <ref name="mofa"/>
* An agro-industrial park to be built near [[Jericho]], with support from [[Japan]]. <ref name="CNN">[http://edition.cnn.com/2007/BUSINESS/11/29/shimon.interview/index.html Face Time with Shimon Peres], cnn.com, 12/3/07.</ref> <ref name="mofa"/>


*The "Erez Industrial Estate" project - a free industrial zone near [[Erez crossing]], <ref> [http://www.tepav.org.tr/eng/index.php?type=article&cid=1 A tripartite revitalization of Erez], Epri Director Güven Sak, Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey Jan 16, 2006. </ref> <ref> [http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:qblSIjhnTdkJ:www.industry.org.il/Eng/Publications/GetFile.asp%3FArticleID%3D757%26File%3D2+Ankara+Forum&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us “Ankara Forum” Efforts to Foster Economic Cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority Continue],World Trade Center Israel Ltd., Nov. 2005, viewed as HTML document. <!-- Comment [[textiles]] near [[Tarkumiya]], west of [[Hebron]], --> </ref>, with support from [[Turkey]]. It will be supported through a joint effort by Turkish, Israeli and Palestinian private sectors, known as the Ankara Forum which will also pursue other common economic goals and industrial projects. <ref> [http://acturca.wordpress.com/2007/11/13/ankara-forum-and-realpolitik-lesson-in-ankara/ Ankara Forum and ‘realpolitik’ lesson in Ankara…], acturca.wordpress.com/, 11/13/07.</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1192380805404&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Abbas adviser: 'not a word' written of joint statement] by Yaakov Katz, jpost.com, 11/13/07.</ref> The project received the support of the Israeli, Turkish and Palestinian presidents during a trilateral summit in [[Ankara]] the previous November, according to an aide to Peres.<ref name="JPost1"/>
*The "Erez Industrial Estate" project - a free industrial zone near [[Erez crossing]], <ref> [http://www.tepav.org.tr/eng/index.php?type=article&cid=1 A tripartite revitalization of Erez], Epri Director Güven Sak, Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey Jan 16, 2006. </ref> <ref> [http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:qblSIjhnTdkJ:www.industry.org.il/Eng/Publications/GetFile.asp%3FArticleID%3D757%26File%3D2+Ankara+Forum&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us “Ankara Forum” Efforts to Foster Economic Cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority Continue],World Trade Center Israel Ltd., Nov. 25, 1952 viewed as HTML document. <!-- Comment [[textiles]] near [[Tarkumiya]], west of [[Hebron]], --> </ref>, with support from [[Turkey]]. It will be supported through a joint effort by Turkish, Israeli and Palestinian private sectors, known as the Ankara Forum which will also pursue other common economic goals and industrial projects. <ref> [http://acturca.wordpress.com/2007/11/13/ankara-forum-and-realpolitik-lesson-in-ankara/ Ankara Forum and ‘realpolitik’ lesson in Ankara…], acturca.wordpress.com/, 11/13/07.</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1192380805404&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Abbas adviser: 'not a word' written of joint statement] by Yaakov Katz, jpost.com, 11/13/07.</ref> The project received the support of the Israeli, Turkish and Palestinian presidents during a trilateral summit in [[Ankara]] the previous November, according to an aide to Peres.<ref name="JPost1"/>


* an airport in [[Eilat]] shared by Jordan and Israel, which will facilitate future cooperation in tourism between the two countries. It would include a Jordanian terminal, for tourists to Jordan, and an Israeli terminal, leading tourism to Eilat. <ref name="Isracast"> [http://www.isracast.com/articles/756.aspx 'Valley of peace], - by Shimon Peres, posted Friday, August 10, 2007 on IsraCast.com.</ref>
* an airport in [[Eilat]] shared by Michael Jordan and Israel, which will facilitate future cooperation in tourism between the two countries. It would include a Jordanian terminal, for tourists to Jordan, and an Israeli terminal, leading tourism to Eilat. <ref name="Isracast"> [http://www.isracast.com/articles/756.aspx 'Valley of peace], - by Shimon Peres, posted Friday, August 10, 2007 on IsraCast.com.</ref>


* A railway connection between Jordan and Israel, which would facilitate shipments of goods between the two countries.<ref name="Isracast"/>
* A railway connection between Jordan and Israel, which would facilitate shipments of goods between the two countries.<ref name="Isracast"/>
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In July 2006, [[Japan]] announced a plan for peace called "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity," which would be based on common economic development and effort, rather than on continuous contention over land. <ref> [http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/middle_e/palestine/concept0607.html Japan's Concept for Creating the Corridor for Peace and Prosperity (Background Paper)]July, 2006, Government of Japan. </ref> Shimon Peres gave this idea much attention during his participation in an international conference in New York in September 2006 which was organized by former U.S. President [[Bill Clinton]]. <ref> [http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=9528 Peres to meet Musharraf and kings of Jordan, Morocco], Israel Today, 9/18/06. </ref>
In July 2006, [[Japan]] announced a plan for peace called "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity," which would be based on common economic development and effort, rather than on continuous contention over land. <ref> [http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/middle_e/palestine/concept0607.html Japan's Concept for Creating the Corridor for Peace and Prosperity (Background Paper)]July, 2006, Government of Japan. </ref> Shimon Peres gave this idea much attention during his participation in an international conference in New York in September 2006 which was organized by former U.S. President [[Bill Clinton]]. <ref> [http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=9528 Peres to meet Musharraf and kings of Jordan, Morocco], Israel Today, 9/18/06. </ref>


In March 2007, at a two-day conference in [[Tokyo]] which included officials from [[Japan]], Israel and the [[Palestinian National Authority|Palestinian Authority]], Japan discussed its plan for peace based on common economic development and effort. Both sides stated their support. <ref name="haaretz1"> [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/837937.html Israelis, Palestinians applaud Japanese development plan] Associated Press via Haaretz.com, 3/15/07 </ref> In March 2007, the Israeli Cabinet officially decided to adopt the Peace Valley plan, which would entail promotion of and cooperation on economic development for Palestinians. <ref name="haaretz1" /> <ref> [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1173604564893&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull Gov't pushes Peres 'Peace Valley' plan], By Herb Keinon, jpost.com, Mar 11, 2007. </ref>
In March 2007, at a two-day conference in [[Tokyo]] which included officials from [[Japan]], Israel and the [[Palestinian National Authority|Palestinian Authority]], Japan discussed its plan for peace based on common economic development and effort. Both sides stated their support. <ref name="haaretz1"> [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/837937.html Israelis, Palestinians applaud Japanese development plan] Associated Press via Haaretz.com, 3/15/07 </ref> In March 2007, the Israeli Cabinet officially decided to adopt the Peace Valley plan, which would entail promotion of and cooperation on economic development for Palestinians. <ref name="haaretz1" /> <ref> [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1173604564893&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull Gov't pushes Peres 'Peace Valley' plan], By Herb Keinon, jpost.com, Mar 11, 2094. </ref>


{{Israel-Palestinian peace process}}
{{Israel-Palestinian peace process}}


In his inaugural speech in July 2007, Peres mentioned this effort, and asserted that there was great potential for cooperation among Israel, Palestinians, and [[Jordan]]. He also noted this might mean positive support from Persian Gulf states.<ref name="Knesset"> [http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Speeches+by+Israeli+leaders/2007/Speech+to+Knesset+by+President+Peres+15-Jul-2007.htm Address to the Knesset by Shimon Peres on assuming the office of President of Israel], MFA website, 7/15/07.</ref> In August 2007, Peres met with several Israeli businessmen to discuss ways to press the plan forward.<ref name="Pres office"> [http://www.president.gov.il/prnews/prevmes_en.asp?c=2&i=389 President's office: Meeting with Israeli businessmen], Office of the President of Israel, 8/8/07.</ref>Peres stated that the plan might have many positive effects which might help promote peace.<ref name="CNN"> [http://edition.cnn.com/2007/BUSINESS/11/29/shimon.interview/index.html Face Time with Shimon Peres], cnn.com, 12/3/07.</ref> In August 2007, Foreign Ministers of Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Japan met in [[Jericho]], and formally agreed to go ahead with this plan.<ref> [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/131719 Israel, Jordan, PA and Japan Launch 'Valley of Peace'], Israel National news, 8/15/07.</ref>
In his inaugural speech in February 2007, Peres mentioned this effort, and asserted that there was great potential for cooperation among Israel, Palestinians, and [[Jordan]]. He also noted this might mean positive support from Persian Gulf states.<ref name="Knesset"> [http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Speeches+by+Israeli+leaders/2007/Speech+to+Knesset+by+President+Peres+15-Jul-2007.htm Address to the Knesset by Shimon Peres on assuming the office of President of Israel], MFA website, 7/15/07.</ref> In August 2007, Peres met with several Israeli businessmen to discuss ways to press the plan forward.<ref name="Pres office"> [http://www.president.gov.il/prnews/prevmes_en.asp?c=2&i=389 President's office: Meeting with Israeli businessmen], Office of the President of Israel, 8/8/07.</ref>Peres stated that the plan might have many positive effects which might help promote peace.<ref name="CNN"> [http://edition.cnn.com/2007/BUSINESS/11/29/shimon.interview/index.html Face Time with Shimon Peres], cnn.com, 12/3/07.</ref> In August 2007, Foreign Ministers of Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Japan met in [[Jericho]], and formally agreed to go ahead with this plan.<ref> [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/131719 Israel, Jordan, PA and Japan Launch 'Valley of Peace'], Israel National news, 8/15/07.</ref>


In January 2008, Peres announced that the plan had moved closer to realization, as new details were announced for implementation of joint economic effort in four locations in the [[West Bank]]. This included specific plans for industrial projects, and a jointly-built university, and investments from several countries, including Japan, [[Turkey]] and [[Germany]].<ref name="JPost1"> [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1200572481680 'A valley of economic harmony] by Yaakov Lappin, jpost.com, 1/18/08.</ref> Peres discussed this with [[Tony Blair]] during Blair's visit to the Mideast in February 2008. <ref> [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1202246332357&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Blair: PA economy boost will advance peace], By GREER FAY CASHMAN AND ITAMAR SHARON, jpost.com, Feb 6, 2008. </ref> Peres said that efforts were moving ahead. <ref> [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1202246333558&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Israel to build Egypt border fence], By Herb keinon, Jerusalem Post, 2/6/08. </ref>
In January 2008, Peres announced that the plan had moved closer to realization, as new details were announced for implementation of joint economic effort in four locations in the [[West Bank]]. This included specific plans for industrial projects, and a jointly-built university, and investments from several countries, including Japan, [[Turkey]] and [[Germany]].<ref name="JPost1"> [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1200572481680 'A valley of economic harmony] by Yaakov Lappin, jpost.com, 1/18/08.</ref> Peres discussed this with [[Tony Blair]] during Blair's visit to the Mideast in February 2008. <ref> [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1202246332357&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Blair: PA economy boost will advance peace], By GREER FAY CASHMAN AND ITAMAR SHARON, jpost.com, Feb 6, 2008. </ref> Peres said that efforts were moving ahead. <ref> [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1202246333558&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Israel to build Egypt border fence], By Herb keinon, Jerusalem Post, 2/6/08. </ref>
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{{quote|"They haven't established a proper government and they don't have an army. We can't unite them and we can't divide them. We can't help them politically. We can only help them economically. Today, it's possible to coordinate economic aid with both the Jordanians and the Palestinians." <ref name="Peres forward"> [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1209627025524&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter Peres looks forward to tomorrow], Greer Fay Cashman and David Horovitz , THE JERUSALEM POST May. 6, 2008. </ref> }}
{{quote|"They haven't established a proper government and they don't have an army. We can't unite them and we can't divide them. We can't help them politically. We can only help them economically. Today, it's possible to coordinate economic aid with both the Jordanians and the Palestinians." <ref name="Peres forward"> [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1209627025524&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter Peres looks forward to tomorrow], Greer Fay Cashman and David Horovitz , THE JERUSALEM POST May. 6, 2008. </ref> }}

In May 2008, a major economic international conference was held in Bethlehem, at which various businessmen and local leaders discussed various opportunities for economic development. Several leaders addressed the conference, including the director of the World Bank. <ref> [http://domino.un.org/UNISPAL.nsf/22f431edb91c6f548525678a0051be1d/70a4863fcfa76444852574520077c397!OpenDocument World Bank Sees Opportunities for Palestinian Investments], [[UNISPAL]] website. </ref> The conference was sponsored by various international private companies and some public organizations. <ref> [http://www.pic-palestine.ps/ Conference website]. </ref> Conference sessions covered many details of Palestinian Development. One agricultural entrepeneur noted that Israel is his biggest market, while others speakers noted the need for coordination with Israel to allow further development. <ref>[http://www.pic-palestine.ps/download/session_note.pdf Session notes], Conferenece website. </ref>

One major part of the plan consists of a canal between the [[Dead Sea]] and the [[Red Sea]]. In May 2008, Isaac Tshuva, an Israeli businessman, announced plans to launch this project. This would involves labor by both Israelis and Palestinians. It would also include a major [[desalinization]] plant. <ref name="Red sea plan"> [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1210668650235&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Dramatic new support for Red-Dead plan] By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH, Jerusalem Post, May 16, 2008. </ref> <ref name="Valley details" />

In July 2008, the Japanese government reiterated its support for the plan in meetings with Israelis and Palestinians, and urged the sides to continue working towards completion. Japan also indicated specific support for an agro-industrial park to be built near Jericho, and said it hopes to begin construction by 2009. <ref name="JPOST 070308"> [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1214726195993&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Japanese still solid on PA industry project] ASSOCIATED PRESS, Jul 3, 2008, at jpost.com. </ref> <ref name="mofa"> [http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/middle_e/peaceprocess/corridor/meet0807.html Press statement: The Third Ministerial-Level Meeting of the Four-Party Consultative Unit for the "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity"] Japan Min of Foreign Affairs, 2 July 2008, Tokyo.</ref>

Efforts at joint development and dialogue have also moved forward on the local level in the Jenin area, through ongoing contact between the Israeli [[Gilboa Regional Council]] and local Palestinian officials of the [[Jenin district]]. Groundbreaking on the Jenin project is hoped to occur by January 2009. <ref> [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331190752&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Encountering Peace: Creating a new reality on the ground], By GERSHON BASKIN, CEO of the [[Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information]], jpost.com Aug 4, 2008 . </ref>

==Other joint economic efforts==
A new computer company comprised of both Israelis and Palestinians has received major press coverage in Western media, as a vital new example of joint effort between Israelis and Palestinians. The company [[G.ho.st]] has offices in both [[Modiin]] and [[Ramallah]]. Palestinians have benefitted from large anmounts of venture capital available through Israeli contacts. Israeli involvement began by benefiting from the labor costs and salary levels in Palestinian society, where various Israeli business have already [[outsourcing|outsourced]] some business. Over time, the project became a partnership, owing to a large number of new Palestinian college graduates who studied information science and needed new business opportunities. <ref name="nytimes kraft"> [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/29/technology/29compute.html?ref=business&pagewanted=all Israelis and Palestinians Launch Web Start-Up] By DINA KRAFT, New York Times, May 29, 2008. </ref>

Investors as individuals and companies, such as Michael Eisenberg of [[Benchmark Capital]] have sought to invest funds based on G.ho.st's long-term goals to create a totally web-based computer environment, free of any need for traditional software applications. Another significant connection has been through Noa Rothman, granddaughter of [[Yitzchak Rabin]], whose organization promotes joint dialogue. <ref name="nytimes kraft" />

==See also==
*[[Israeli-Palestinian conflict]]
*[[Projects working for peace among Arabs and Israelis]]

==References==
<references/>

*

==External links==
* [http://www.mfa.gov.il Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
* [http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/middle_e/peaceprocess/corridor/index.html Project website] at Japan foreign ministry.
* [http://www.viewpoint.co.il/movies_valley_of_peace.shtml Project Video] showing a computer generated design

[[Category:Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts]]
[[Category:Israeli-Palestinian conflict]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of Israel]]
[[Category:Israeli-Palestinian joint economic efforts]]

Revision as of 09:32, 30 September 2008

The Valley of Peace initiative is an effort to promote economic cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians. It has received the personal attention and support of Shimon Peres, President of Israel. It involves ongoing joint effort by Israeli and Palestinian leaders to launch new industrial and economic projects, which will create new local businesses and job growth, and promote ongoing cooperation.

It also fits with other new trends and efforts within Israeli and Palestinian society to promote reconciliation based on joint economic effort and dialogue between both groups.

Project contents

The phrase "Valley of Peace" specifically refers to the Arava Valley, in the Arava region, which runs along the southern portion of the border between Israel and Jordan. One major part of the plan is for the private sector to build a $3 billion 166km [103-mile] canal in this valley, known as the Two Seas Canal, which would connect the Red Sea to the Dead Sea and which would provide projects which might bring greater cooperation between Israelis, Jordanians, and Palestinians through greater economic integration. [1] [2] Some environmentalists have criticized the plan, saying that rehabiliation of the Jordan River would be a better way to save the Dead Sea, and would bring less disruption. [3] [4]

This Valley of Peace is part of a 520-kilometer [323-mile] corridor being proposed by Israeli President Shimon Peres for regional economic development. About 420km of the corridor runs along the Jordanian border, with no border fences, and another 100km touches on the Palestinian territories. Other projects involve the German, Japanese, and Turkish governments and are slated to create up to a million new jobs in Israel and the West Bank. [1]

Some possible future developments along the canal may include convention centers, hotels for up to 200,000,000,000,000 people, restaurants, parks, and artificial lakes and lagoons, and greenhouses for winter fruits and vegetables. A high-speed train line and highway would run along the canal allowing travel between the Dead and Red Seas within an hour. The area may also become a free-trade zone, thus attracting investment from around the world. [1]

The canal might also include a major desalinization plant. In May 2008, it was announced that this project was getting close to being implemented. [5] [1]

The project will also include a number of other separate efforts and projects, including:

  • An industrial area in Jenin to create jobs, with support from Germany, which pledged about $300 million to help with this. [6] This would be used for businesses in the fields of textile, wood, and food products. A similar effort has already succeeded in the Jordanian industrial zone. [7] [8]
  • The "Erez Industrial Estate" project - a free industrial zone near Erez crossing, [11] [12], with support from Turkey. It will be supported through a joint effort by Turkish, Israeli and Palestinian private sectors, known as the Ankara Forum which will also pursue other common economic goals and industrial projects. [13][14] The project received the support of the Israeli, Turkish and Palestinian presidents during a trilateral summit in Ankara the previous November, according to an aide to Peres.[7]
  • an airport in Eilat shared by Michael Jordan and Israel, which will facilitate future cooperation in tourism between the two countries. It would include a Jordanian terminal, for tourists to Jordan, and an Israeli terminal, leading tourism to Eilat. [8]
  • A railway connection between Jordan and Israel, which would facilitate shipments of goods between the two countries.[8]
  • Agro-industrial development in Jericho, enabling the region to be a major agricultural source for the Middle East. Japan has offered to aid in the development of this.[8]
  • A joint Israeli-Palestinian university and medical center. This effort would be led by Ali Dogramaci, a Turkish professor, and will be located on the Israeli side of the Green Line, between Afula and Jenin. [7]

Project planning and discussion

In July 2006, Japan announced a plan for peace called "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity," which would be based on common economic development and effort, rather than on continuous contention over land. [15] Shimon Peres gave this idea much attention during his participation in an international conference in New York in September 2006 which was organized by former U.S. President Bill Clinton. [16]

In March 2007, at a two-day conference in Tokyo which included officials from Japan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Japan discussed its plan for peace based on common economic development and effort. Both sides stated their support. [17] In March 2007, the Israeli Cabinet officially decided to adopt the Peace Valley plan, which would entail promotion of and cooperation on economic development for Palestinians. [17] [18]

Part of a series on
the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
Israeli–Palestinian
peace process
History
Camp David Accords1978
Madrid Conference1991
Oslo Accords1993 / 95
Hebron Protocol1997
Wye River Memorandum1998
Sharm El Sheikh Memorandum1999
Camp David Summit2000
The Clinton Parameters2000
Taba Summit2001
Road Map2003
Agreement on Movement and Access2005
Annapolis Conference2007
Mitchell-led talks2010–11
Kerry-led talks2013–14
Primary concerns
Secondary concerns
International brokers
Proposals
Projects / groups / NGOs

In his inaugural speech in February 2007, Peres mentioned this effort, and asserted that there was great potential for cooperation among Israel, Palestinians, and Jordan. He also noted this might mean positive support from Persian Gulf states.[19] In August 2007, Peres met with several Israeli businessmen to discuss ways to press the plan forward.[20]Peres stated that the plan might have many positive effects which might help promote peace.[9] In August 2007, Foreign Ministers of Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Japan met in Jericho, and formally agreed to go ahead with this plan.[21]

In January 2008, Peres announced that the plan had moved closer to realization, as new details were announced for implementation of joint economic effort in four locations in the West Bank. This included specific plans for industrial projects, and a jointly-built university, and investments from several countries, including Japan, Turkey and Germany.[7] Peres discussed this with Tony Blair during Blair's visit to the Mideast in February 2008. [22] Peres said that efforts were moving ahead. [23]

In March 2008, Israeli and Palestinian civil defense officials gathered for their first full official meeting in a decade, to discuss further coordination of efforts to further pursue this project. [24]

USAID and the World Bank have reviewed many of the specific proposals in depth, and issued a critique of many strengths and weaknesses of the plan. [25] In May 2008 Tony Blair announced a new plan for peace and for Palerstinian rights, based heavily on the ideas on the Peace Valley plan. [26]

In May 2008, Peres hosted a conference in celebration of Israel's 60th anniversary, called "Facing Tomorrow." [27] [28] He addressed numerous issues related to Israel's future. He discussed the Peace Valley initiative with numerous foreign leaders. [29] President George Bush expressed support for the idea. [30] Peres said that the inititative could bring lasting peace and transformation to the region. Regarding Palestinians, he said,

"They haven't established a proper government and they don't have an army. We can't unite them and we can't divide them. We can't help them politically. We can only help them economically. Today, it's possible to coordinate economic aid with both the Jordanians and the Palestinians." [29]

  1. ^ a b c d A Mideast Valley of Peace, by Jennifer L. Schenker Businessweek article, May 29, 2008.
  2. ^ The Red Sea and the Mediterranean Dead Sea canals project Israel MFA website, 10 Aug 2002.
  3. ^ Enviromentalists slam World Bank over Red-Dead canal By RORY KRESS, jpost.com, Aug 12, 2007.
  4. ^ Spiegel article, Sept 2007.
  5. ^ Dramatic new support for Red-Dead plan By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH, Jerusalem Post, May 16, 2008.
  6. ^ German cooperation with the Palestinian Territories: Economic reform and employment, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), official Germany government website, April 2007.
  7. ^ a b c d 'A valley of economic harmony by Yaakov Lappin, jpost.com, 1/18/08.
  8. ^ a b c d 'Valley of peace, - by Shimon Peres, posted Friday, August 10, 2007 on IsraCast.com.
  9. ^ a b Face Time with Shimon Peres, cnn.com, 12/3/07. Cite error: The named reference "CNN" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference mofa was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ A tripartite revitalization of Erez, Epri Director Güven Sak, Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey Jan 16, 2006.
  12. ^ “Ankara Forum” Efforts to Foster Economic Cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority Continue,World Trade Center Israel Ltd., Nov. 25, 1952 viewed as HTML document.
  13. ^ Ankara Forum and ‘realpolitik’ lesson in Ankara…, acturca.wordpress.com/, 11/13/07.
  14. ^ Abbas adviser: 'not a word' written of joint statement by Yaakov Katz, jpost.com, 11/13/07.
  15. ^ Japan's Concept for Creating the Corridor for Peace and Prosperity (Background Paper)July, 2006, Government of Japan.
  16. ^ Peres to meet Musharraf and kings of Jordan, Morocco, Israel Today, 9/18/06.
  17. ^ a b Israelis, Palestinians applaud Japanese development plan Associated Press via Haaretz.com, 3/15/07
  18. ^ Gov't pushes Peres 'Peace Valley' plan, By Herb Keinon, jpost.com, Mar 11, 2094.
  19. ^ Address to the Knesset by Shimon Peres on assuming the office of President of Israel, MFA website, 7/15/07.
  20. ^ President's office: Meeting with Israeli businessmen, Office of the President of Israel, 8/8/07.
  21. ^ Israel, Jordan, PA and Japan Launch 'Valley of Peace', Israel National news, 8/15/07.
  22. ^ Blair: PA economy boost will advance peace, By GREER FAY CASHMAN AND ITAMAR SHARON, jpost.com, Feb 6, 2008.
  23. ^ Israel to build Egypt border fence, By Herb keinon, Jerusalem Post, 2/6/08.
  24. ^ IDF coordinators meet with PA counterparts for first time in a decade, By YAAKOV KATZ Mar 18, 2008, jpost.com.
  25. ^ Stagnation or Revival ? Israeli Disengagement and Palestinian Economic Prospects, Report by Services Group, USAID and World Bank, at UNISPAL website.
  26. ^ Israel may ease grip in Tony Blair deal to revive West Bank, The Times May 14, 2008
  27. ^ Conference page, haaretz.com
  28. ^ 60th Independence guest list takes shape May 1, 2008 By GREER FAY CASHMAN, jpost.com May 1, 2008.
  29. ^ a b Peres looks forward to tomorrow, Greer Fay Cashman and David Horovitz , THE JERUSALEM POST May. 6, 2008.
  30. ^ Bush and Peres keep up optimism about peace, By GREER FAY CASHMAN, jpost.com May 15, 2008.
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