CMEP Bulletin: On the Way to Two States There Are Settlements

President Obama Renews Support for the Two State Solution and Democracy in Israel

In a speech at a Washington, DC synagogue May 22 , President Obama strongly endorsed the two state solution – Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. “Just as Israeli’s built a state in their homeland, Palestinians have a right to be a free people on their land, as well,” he said. While acknowledging that the neighborhood is dangerous and Israel cannot be expected to take existential risks with its security , it is worthwhile to “[look] squarely at what’s possible but also necessary in order for Israel to be the type of nation that it was intended to be in its earliest founding”.

France Promotes Draft UN Security Council Resolution on Negotiations Parameters

France’s Foreign Minister announced May 28 that he will travel to Israel and the Palestinian Territories to persuade both sides to accept a French security council resolution that would set parameters for talks about an agreement. “There is no peace and security without justice for the Palestinians… and justice has not been given to the Palestinians” he said. France also recently gave a draft UN Security Council resolution to Arab League countries for discussion. Click here for a French draft UN Security Council resolution that was circulated at the UN last fall, but was not formally introduced at that time.

Netanyahu Says he is Willing to Negotiate Settlement Borders

Prime Minister Netanyahu told the EU this week that he is willing to reach understandings with Palestinians on the borders of settlement blocs that Israel would annex under any peace agreement. PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erakat responded that the Prime Minister’s remarks were not new and were in effect a request to continue illegal settlement construction with Palestinian consent.

Click here to the full Churches for Middle East Peace Bulletin.