Skoll Entrepreneur(s): Daniel Lubetzky
Change(s) Addressed: Peace & Security

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DESCRIPTION:

In college, Daniel researched Arab-Israeli joint ventures and saw an opportunity to use business to bring stability to the Middle East. His interest grew and he quickly ended up building his own joint venture that sells food items at over 15,000 retailers nationwide. After the breakdown of the second Camp David Accords, Daniel found himself depressed that this would not be enough to bring lasting change. Realizing there were many people who felt just as he did but who were not represented in the peace process, Daniel set out to build a new movement of moderates who could unite for peace in the Middle East through the PeaceWorks Foundation.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS OF 2010

• The OneVoice Movement is reframing the conflict to highlight that a majority of Israelis and Palestinians support a two-state solution and oppose violent extremism. OneVoice helped propel politicians to rekindle negotiations in late 2007, after a 7-year hiatus, following the year-long campaign “What Are You Willing to Do to End The Conflict?” that mobilized 650,000 Israelis and Palestinians to demand negotiations.
• OneVoice has trained 2,000 youth leaders to amplify the voice of Israeli and Palestinian moderates and demand that leaders achieve a two-state solution. Alumni of the program now hold positions of influence in government. The International Education Program reaches thousands each year, reducing polarization on college campuses and showing students that their views often overlap.
• OneVoice’s Town Hall Meetings initiative has gained significant momentum and connected the grassroots with top political leaders, including Tzipi Livni, Shaul Mofaz and Mahmoud Abbas. The organization’s polling on attitudes toward peace has entered way into the U.S. policy debate, cited in testimony on the Hill and within the Administration.