Introducing The Palestine Papers

Al Jazeera has obtained more than 1,600 internal documents from a decade of
Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
Gregg Carlstrom Last Modified: 23 Jan 2011 15:32 GMT
http://english.aljazeera.net/palestinepapers/2011/01/201112214310263628.html

Over the last several months, Al Jazeera has been given unhindered access to
the largest-ever leak of confidential documents related to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There are nearly 1,700 files, thousands of
pages of diplomatic correspondence detailing the inner workings of the
Israeli-Palestinian peace process. These documents – memos, e-mails, maps,
minutes from private meetings, accounts of high level exchanges, strategy
papers and even power point presentations – date from 1999 to 2010.

The material is voluminous and detailed; it provides an unprecedented look
inside the continuing negotiations involving high-level American, Israeli,
and Palestinian Authority officials.

Al Jazeera will release the documents between January 23-26th, 2011. They
will reveal new details about:

•the Palestinian Authority’s willingness to concede illegal Israeli
settlements in East Jerusalem, and to be “creative” about the status of the
Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount;

•the compromises the Palestinian Authority was prepared to make on refugees
and the right of return;

•details of the PA’s security cooperation with Israel;

•and private exchanges between Palestinian and American negotiators in late
2009, when the Goldstone Report was being discussed at the United Nations.

Because of the sensitive nature of these documents, Al Jazeera will not
reveal the source(s) or detail how they came into our possession. We have
taken great care over an extended period of time to assure ourselves of
their authenticity.

We believe this material will prove to be of inestimable value to
journalists, scholars, historians, policymakers and the general public.

We know that some of what is presented here will prove controversial, but it
is our intention to inform, not harm, to spark debate and reflection – not
dampen it. Our readers and viewers will note that we have provided a
comments section in which to express opinions. In keeping with our editorial
policies, we reserve the right to excise comments that we deem
inappropriate, but all civil voices will be heard, all opinions respected.

We present these papers as a service to our viewers and readers as a
reflection of our fundamental belief – that public debate and public
policies grow, flourish and endure when given air and light.