Gov. Qaddoura Moussa of Jenin, in the West Bank, speaks during a forum with Mayor Daniel Attar of Gilboa in northern Israel and his Arab-Israeli deputy mayor, Ead Saleem, (not pictured), about efforts to promote peace in the Middle East at the Jewish Federation in Southbury on Sunday. This was Moussa’s first visit to the United States, which was made possible with special authorization from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

SOUTHBURY — Olive oil as well as olive branches may be the best path to resolving the generations-old conflict be tween Israelis and Palestinians, according to Israeli Mayor Daniel Attar, of Hagilboa, and Gov. Qaddoura Moussa, of the West Bank city of Jenin.

The two leaders, along with Attar’s deputy mayor, Ead Saleem, made a historic joint appearance at The Federation — Jewish Communities of Western Connecticut on Sun day. They explained the modest success the two communities have realized in reducing vio lence and increasing prosperity by advocating a “from-the ground- up” strategy to spur joint-economic development and the creation of infrastruc ture for governance.
Jenin was once one of the most violent cities in the area, but is now considered an example of what can be achieved by promot ing the social and economic ties between communities.

The trio is seeking donations and assistance to create a 100 acre international industrial zone outside the city, where raw goods and local staples, includ ing olive oil, could be packaged and prepared for worldwide distribution. Attendees were given a small sample of olive oil from the area.

The zone was proposed by then-Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain in 1998, but never materialized, in part, due to the second Palestinian intifada in 2000. But after recent gains by Palestinian security forces and signs of stabilization in Jenin, the idea is again gaining steam.

Moussa said the zone could employ as many as 15,000 peo ple, and could mean big profits for investors. The city of 256,000 people has 58 percent unemployment.

“Peace needs security, econ omy and the creation of strate gic planning,” he said. “As long as you support us we can push the extremists aside.”

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said he met with the men last week, and was so moved by their story and mes sage he had to call his children to share it.

“What these gentleman show us is the courage and fortitude it takes to make peace rather than war,” he said. Blumenthal challenged the crowd to take that message and spread it to others.

It’s a message that would not have been tolerated 15 years ago, Moussa said. “We want peace for our kids. We are ask ing and wanting your help,” he said.

Attar praised Mousa’s leader ship for the Palestinian people, calling him evidence that you can still be strong and want peace, but cautioned there are many challenges still to be overcome.

Looking around at the audi ence, he shared what he said most Jews understand well: “We have a responsibility not only for ourselves, but for our neighbor.”