American Jewish Leaders Praise Kerry’s Peace Efforts in Letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

[State Department photo/ Public Domain]

On Wednesday, February 12, Israel Policy Forum released a letter addressed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in support of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s peace process initiative. Over 150 prominent American Jewish leaders signed the letter, which included rabbis, formal officials, activists, scholars, and philanthropists.

The letter urged Netanyahu to continue negotiations on behalf of reaching a two-state solution and expressed hope that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will also demonstrate a desire to move forward in the talks.

Relations between U.S. and Israeli leaderships have been rocky over the past couple weeks in regards to the handling of sensitive issues involved in the peace negotiations.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu:

At this critical juncture for the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, we write to express the sentiment of a broad cross-section of the American Jewish community in support of your continued efforts to pursue a negotiated resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on two states for two peoples.

As American advocates for a strong, Jewish and democratic Israel, we have been heartened by Secretary of State John Kerry’s extraordinary resolve to advance this process consistent with America’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security. We believe Secretary Kerry’s determined diplomatic effort offers an unprecedented opportunity to ensure Israel’s security, to enhance its prosperity, and to avoid the existential threat to the Jewish state posed by bi-nationalism.

It is our hope that President Mahmoud Abbas will join you in demonstrating leadership to advance these talks. By moving forward at this time, we believe that the Palestinian leadership will be challenged to make important compromises, to end incitement and to demonstrate a genuine preparedness to live in peace alongside the nation-state of the Jewish people.

Mr. Prime Minister, at this pivotal moment of decision-making, we offer our support and encouragement as you move forward to pursue a lasting agreement that will protect Israel’s security as a homeland for the Jewish people.

The letter and list of all signatories can be found by clicking here.