Pressures for a Plan

Over the past several weeks the United States, the EU, and the UN, (all members of the Middle East Quartet) have recently all spoken out bluntly about the need for Israel to negotiate an agreement with the Palestinians.  For two years the current government of Israel has made no response to Palestinian proposals for a two-state solution. Facing growing international frustration the impasse in peace negotiations, the Middle East Quartet may consider making a specific proposal that could break through the current impasse.

Such a proposal would require significant U.S. support. This Bulletin reported on March 25  that U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates visited Israel visited both Jerusalem and Ramallah last week and made  a strong call for the resumption of peace talks. He advised Israel to be forthcoming with proposals to stay ahead of rapidly changing events in the region.

As another sign of the growing international pressures, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said this week, “The occupation that started in 1967 is morally and politically unsustainable, and must end. The Palestinians have a legitimate right to the establishment of an independent and viable State of their own.”

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• Pursuit of unity government
• Politics of foreign aid
• Inciting violence
• Local lobbying effort