Following reports that Israel and the Palestinian Authority had agreed to participate in the first round of direct negotiations in 20 months, Democratic candidate for Congress David Cicilline issued the following statement today:
“After the previous administration embraced an eight-year policy of diplomatic neglect, I am pleased to see President Obama taking the lead on the Middle East peace process and bringing Israel and the Palestinian Authority back to the negotiating table. From the shuttle diplomacy following the Yom Kippur War to President Bill Clinton’s relentless work to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the United States has long assumed a special role in securing peace in the Middle East. I am hopeful that President Obama will embrace this historic opportunity to utilize direct talks to finally bring an end to a decades-old conflict that has devastated a region held sacred by people of so many different faiths.”
“Since its founding more than 60 years ago, Israel has served as a beacon for pluralism, justice, and respect for human rights despite being surrounded by unfriendly countries that refused even to recognize its right to exist. The United States and Israel enjoy a strong legacy of friendship, beginning with President Harry S. Truman’s courageous decision to recognize Israel only 11 minutes after it achieved statehood. In addition, Israel has made sacrifices for peace in the Middle East, as evidenced by its willingness to give up portions of its homeland in exchange for significant peace accords with Egypt and Jordan and its repeated concessions to bring the Palestinian Authority to the table.”
“While the United States must continue to play a vigorous role advocating for a peace agreement, the two parties themselves must find a mutually agreeable resolution that will provide peace and security for the people of the Middle East. I look forward to the day when Israel and the Palestinian Authority will live side-by-side in peace with each recognizing the other’s legitimacy.”
