Time and again the Jewish state has demonstrated its willingness to make tough sacrifices for peace. In 1979 Israel withdrew its forces and uprooted Jewish settlers in the Sinai Peninsula to achieve peace with Egypt. Israel has also left its positions in the Gaza Strip, parts of the West Bank and South Lebanon to reach peace with its neighbors. Now, Prime Minister Netanyahu has called for direct talks without preconditions with the Palestinian Authority (PA) -- only to be rejected by PA President Mahmoud Abbas.

 

Talking Points

  1. Two-states for two people.
    AIPAC strongly supports a two-state solution and works tirelessly to bring peace to the region. A two-state solution--a Jewish state of Israel living in peace with a demilitarized Palestinian state--with an end to all claims is the clear path to resolving this generations-old conflict.

  2. Only direct talks will lead to peace.
    While Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has called for direct talks to begin immediately, Palestinian Authority President Abbas is refusing to meet with his counterpart. As was the case in the previous Arab-Israeli peace deals, only direct talks between the parties can lead to a real and lasting peace.

  3. Arab states must take a more constructive role.
    The United States should continue to press the Arab states to normalize relations with Israel and take concrete steps to support the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.