“We are living in very challenging times, but this is why we need to think creatively about new ideas for the future.” - CMES Director Karin Aggestam
Key Themes and Insights
Urban Spaces as Arenas for Change
Professor Yacobi highlighted the paradox of cities in Israel-Palestine: while deeply politicized, they can serve as spaces for transformation and reconciliation. “Cities provide spaces of encounter almost by definition,” he noted, suggesting that urban areas could become catalysts for. decolonization and coexistence.
The Shared Homeland Paradigm
Yacobi introduced a forward-looking concept: two sovereign states with flexible arrangements for residency and citizenship. This model challenges rigid territorial divisions and promotes shared metropolitan governance and decentralised urban regimes. Read more about the Shared Homeland Paradigm here.
Community Resilience Amid Crisis
Dr Rami Nasrallah offered a rich overview of recent developments in Gaza and the West Bank, emphasising the systematic fragmentation of Palestinian territories. He underscored the resilience of communities rebuilding homes and identities despite severe restrictions: “Managing the conflict is not solving the problem.”
Audience Engagement
The Q&A session addressed critical issues, including justice, accountability for war crimes, and the right of return for refugees. Both speakers agreed that justice must be central to any future arrangement. Nasrallah underlined that “If Israel does not recognise Palestinian rights to self-determination, it will harm its own long-term interests.”
Key Points from the Seminar
- Urban spaces hold potential for reconciliation and shared governance.
- The shared homeland paradigm envisions two states with flexible residency and citizenship.
- Justice and accountability are essential for sustainable peace.
- International pressure may play a decisive role in shaping future scenarios.