Don’t Let Middle East Peace Talks End!

This Sunday Israel’s freeze on new settlement construction in the West Bank will end.  Settlements are a critical issue in the renewed negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.  The end to this freeze signifies a vital turning point for everyone involved in the peace talks.  Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that the moratorium will not be extended.  Yesterday, Palestinian Authority President Abbas said that it would be “very difficult” for talks to continue if Israeli construction resumes.  This impasse threatens to end what careful progress has been made towards an agreement thus far.

The United States has repeatedly called on both parties to refrain from actions that prejudice the outcome of the talks or threaten their continuation.  This current crisis could do both.  Israel’s resumption of settlement construction would create facts on the ground that preempt any discussion of borders and possible land swaps between the parties.  The Palestinian delegation’s threat to walk out of the direct negotiations would end what had been an important month of discussions.  Such actions by both parties could fatally delay these vital negotiations and end substantial progress toward a peace agreement.

Only the United States has the influence to keep both parties at the table and working seriously for peace.

Click here to take action now.  Tell President Obama and Secretary Clinton to ratchet up the pressure on both sides to stay at the negotiating table.  The time is now to keep talks going for a just and comprehensive peace for Israelis and Palestinians!