Peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel are at an impasse (what's new?). President Obama and Secretary Clinton have been right to push for a direct U.S. role in the peace process after years of neglect under the Bush Administration.
Churches for a Middle East Peace wonders, however, where we go from here:
Date: December 13, 2010
U.S. Abandons Settlement Strategy
The Obama administration announce it has abandoned its attempt to get direct peace talks restarted by offering Israel a multi-billion package of security and political incentives in return for a 90-day suspension of new Israeli construction in the Palestinian Territories and east Jerusalem. Israeli reportedly could not agree that the written US offer explicitly include east Jerusalem in the construction freeze, nor would it agree that favorable terms for new military equipment be tied to conclusion of an agreement with the Palestinians.
Akiva Eldar, Political commentator for Haaretz newspaper, said the significance of the U.S. decision to stop pushing for a moratorium is that Obama is refusing to give Netanyahu a seal of approval to build in east Jerusalem.
The State Department insists the demise of this offer does not mean the end of US efforts to bring the two sides together to negotiate an agreement, but many are wondering what options remain. Washington is full of speculation of what a new U.S. effort might look like.
A recently published public opinion poll shows that most Americans, Israelis and Palestinians support American efforts to mediate Palestinian-Israeli peace. Two thirds of Israelis would support some form of withdrawal from the territories occupied in 1967, and most want Israel to do more to promote comprehensive peace with the Arabs. If the two state solution collapses, about 42 percent believe there would conflict for years to come. Very few believe the Palestinians would give up or that there would be a one-state solution.
The world is looking to the U.S. for leadership.
Click here to send President Obama a note encouraging him to remain engaged in the peace process.
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