1/13
In a small town just outside of Oslo, Norway sits Borregaard Manor. It’s a royal estate, originally built of stone and timber in the Middle Ages by King Olav Haraldsson. A peaceful place, where Norwegian Kings would spend their summers. #velshi
In a small town just outside of Oslo, Norway sits Borregaard Manor. It’s a royal estate, originally built of stone and timber in the Middle Ages by King Olav Haraldsson. A peaceful place, where Norwegian Kings would spend their summers. #velshi
2/13
In 1993, it became the site where the most elusive peace in the world was almost achieved. During 14 meetings over a span of 8 months, Israeli officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization met under the veil of secrecy. #velshi
In 1993, it became the site where the most elusive peace in the world was almost achieved. During 14 meetings over a span of 8 months, Israeli officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization met under the veil of secrecy. #velshi
3/13
They sought to work out a deal that would try to end decades of misunderstanding, mistrust, and bloodshed between their people. It started out as an unofficial meeting between PLO officials and two Israeli professors. #velshi
They sought to work out a deal that would try to end decades of misunderstanding, mistrust, and bloodshed between their people. It started out as an unofficial meeting between PLO officials and two Israeli professors. #velshi
4/13
The Norwegians created an intimate space for discussion between people, rather than between feuding authorities. At the time, it was illegal for Israeli officials to even speak to members of the PLO, let alone negotiate with them. #velshi
The Norwegians created an intimate space for discussion between people, rather than between feuding authorities. At the time, it was illegal for Israeli officials to even speak to members of the PLO, let alone negotiate with them. #velshi
5/13
Borregaard Manor became one of several sites in Norway where Israelis and Palestinians lived under one roof, eating meals together, chatting and even laughing, sometimes, well into the night. #velshi
Borregaard Manor became one of several sites in Norway where Israelis and Palestinians lived under one roof, eating meals together, chatting and even laughing, sometimes, well into the night. #velshi
6/13
The negotiators developed a knack for telling the right joke at the right time to break the tension. The group - who once shared a mutual hatred for one another, developed mutual respect. #velshi
The negotiators developed a knack for telling the right joke at the right time to break the tension. The group - who once shared a mutual hatred for one another, developed mutual respect. #velshi
7/13
Eventually they pulled off what no one thought was possible. They drafted an agreement that would become the Oslo Accords. #velshi
Eventually they pulled off what no one thought was possible. They drafted an agreement that would become the Oslo Accords. #velshi
8/13
In the monumental document, Israelis and Palestinians agreed to recognize the other’s right to exist, and it shifted authority of certain territories from Israeli to Palestinian control. #velshi
In the monumental document, Israelis and Palestinians agreed to recognize the other’s right to exist, and it shifted authority of certain territories from Israeli to Palestinian control. #velshi
9/13
The Oslo Accords were signed on September 13, 1993 at the White House. Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO chairman Yassir Arafat shook hands with President Bill Clinton standing by. It was an inspiring moment for the world. #velshi
The Oslo Accords were signed on September 13, 1993 at the White House. Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO chairman Yassir Arafat shook hands with President Bill Clinton standing by. It was an inspiring moment for the world. #velshi
10/13
In 1702, the original Borregaard Mansion was swept into the river by a massive landslide. Maybe it foreshadowed the fate of the Oslo Accords. The Oslo meetings sparked hope that two sworn adversaries could find common ground. #velshi
In 1702, the original Borregaard Mansion was swept into the river by a massive landslide. Maybe it foreshadowed the fate of the Oslo Accords. The Oslo meetings sparked hope that two sworn adversaries could find common ground. #velshi
11/13
It was the closest Israelis and Palestinians had ever gotten to peace. But, like the mansion, it, too, was swept away by a torrent of violence, recrimination, even an assassination. Those 8 months of negotiation couldn’t overcome such deep-rooted enmity. #velshi
It was the closest Israelis and Palestinians had ever gotten to peace. But, like the mansion, it, too, was swept away by a torrent of violence, recrimination, even an assassination. Those 8 months of negotiation couldn’t overcome such deep-rooted enmity. #velshi
12/13
In July 2000, still trying to revive the effort, both sides met at Camp David to settle their remaining issues. But a final deal was never reached, and the second Palestinian Intifada, or uprising, began. #velshi
In July 2000, still trying to revive the effort, both sides met at Camp David to settle their remaining issues. But a final deal was never reached, and the second Palestinian Intifada, or uprising, began. #velshi
13/13
We all know how this story ends, because it doesn’t. Israelis & Palestinians are still fighting. People are still dying. This cycle of violence cannot go on forever. Peace was not inescapable in that tiny Norwegian town in 1993. And it is not inescapable today. #velshi
We all know how this story ends, because it doesn’t. Israelis & Palestinians are still fighting. People are still dying. This cycle of violence cannot go on forever. Peace was not inescapable in that tiny Norwegian town in 1993. And it is not inescapable today. #velshi
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