Mock Peace Summit Players
email me to choose who you want to portray or sign-up in class
Israeli Delegates (6)
Kadima (2) --      
Likud (1) -- 
Labor (2)--         Patrick S.
 Shinui, Shas, Israel Beitenu or National Religious Party (1) --
Palestinian Delegates (4/5)
PLO (2)   --         
 Hamas (2/3) --     
US (1/2) --                  
Syria (1) -                    Ryan H.

Lebanon (1) --                    

Jordon (1)               
Saudi Arabia (1/2) --        Ramzy       

 Iran (1)                           

EU --perhaps Chris Patton or Javier Solana (1)  --

Russia (1)   --

UN  (Ban Ki-Moon?) (1)   --

Go here for more more information on the Middle East Peace Process
Assignment descriptions

Here's the shortened/revised ME assignment (40 points; about 4-5 pages). 
1. Based on the Slater & Economist articles, discuss the biggest issues that the peace talks will have to deal with.   How were those issues addressed in the 2000 Camp David and the 2001 Taba negotiations (based on the Slater & Economist articles (use paragraphs to discuss each major issue, but you don't need to use transitions between paragraphs).   2-3 pages

2.  What do you think would be the best outcome that would be acceptable to your "side" (country/party)?  In other words, what could you live with (stick to your party's core goals but try to be "reasonable")?   Be sure to support your claims that this is what your party wants (cite sources).   Do you think the other parties involved would accept that?  1-2 pages
Read Jerome Slater : What Went Wrong: The Collapse of the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process. The Political Science Quartlerly , Volume 116; 2002.

The US-backed Roadmap to Peace and the Geneva Accords (a.k.a. the unofficial peace plan) may be helpful in your analysis.
The Economist also wrote a good summary of the Taba talks.   

This is a major assignement (6-8 pages), so it will be worth 60 points.

1. First, write a summary (in outline format) of the issues addressed in the 2000 Camp David and the 2001 Taba negotiations (based on the Slater & Economist articles and the Carter book--about 2 pages). 

2. Each student will then explain the point of view of that country/group on the problem and explain the country’s position regarding the conflict.  Furthermore, you will write your response to Jimmy Carter’s conclusions and requirements for peace he lays out in his book.  

3. Then, you will explain your position on the Arab Peace plan (Appendix 6 of Carter’s book). 

4. You will write-out these best- and worse-case scenarios and turn in a copy to me before negotiations begin (the last two weeks of class).  Each group will briefly explain their “point of view” to the others at the beginning of negotiations, staking out your group/country’s main demands.  This will be done through a 1-page typed summary handout to your fellow students at the beginning of negotiations.

 


For Israeli, Palestinian, Iranian, Syrian, & Lebanese delegates:
Give a brief (about 2 page) history of the region (including your party's perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict).  Write a summary (in outline format) of the issues addressed in the 2000 Camp David and the 2001 Taba negotiations (based on the Slater & Economist articles, among others--about 2 pages).  Then write your country's/party's ideal position on those issues (what it would most like from peace negotiations -- remember, these are peace negotiations, so no wishing for the destruction of the other side). What would be your party/country's stance on the Geneva Accords? Be sure to discuss how your state/group will benefit from peace. (Why peace?  What will be the "peace dividend" for your party/state?).  Then write what you believe your country/party could live with as a worse-case scenario (i.e. what are your 'minimum' demands?).   This assignment will be the basis for your bargaining. 
For the US, EU, Russia and the UN
You will have a little bit different approach. You will also write a brief history of the region (about 2 pages) and a summary of the Camp David and Taba talks (about 2 pages). Furthermore, you will explore your country/organization's historical links (especially since World War II) to the region and its' position on the Middle East peace proposals that have been discussed.  Specifically, you need to discuss recent negotiations and 'quartet' proposals (such as the "Road Map").  You should then propose a viable peace plan (from your country's perspective).What would be your party/country's stance on the Geneva Accords?
For Saudi Arabia
Give a brief (about 2 page) history of the region (including Saudi Arabia's perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict). Write a summary (in outline format) of the issues addressed in the 2000 Camp David and the 2001 Taba negotiations (based on the Slater & Economist articles, among others--about 2 pages).  Then you will discuss the Saudi peace plan. Compare the Saudi plan to the Camp David and Taba negotion plans.  Why do you think Saudi Arabia proposed it?  Is it a viable plan?  Do you think others (especially in the Arab world) would agree to your proposal? What would be your party/country's stance on the Geneva Accords?