<!-- IMAGE -->The United States supports the formation of 2 independent states as the only way to a permanent peace in the Middle East. " The only resolution," said President Barack Obama during his speech at Cairo University on June 4th, "is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through 2 states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security."
After a recent meeting, the Quartet on the Middle East -- which is involved in supporting and coordinating international efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian and Arab-Israeli conflicts, and which consists of the United Nations, the European Union, the Russian Federation and the United States -- issued a statement that bolsters President Obama's 2-state assertion by emphasizing that "the only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one that ends the occupation that began in 1967 and fulfils the aspirations of both parties for independent homelands through 2 states for 2 peoples, Israel and an independent, contiguous, and viable state of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security."
The Quartet called on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to implement their obligations under the Roadmap, and cautioned both sides to stop incitement and violence against civilians.
The Quartet acknowledged progress made by the Palestinian Authority to reform its security sector, and called on the Palestinian Authority to improve law and order and to fight violent extremism. It also urged the Palestinian government to enhance its efforts to build the institutions of the future Palestinian state.
The Quartet urged the government of Israel to refrain from provocative actions in East Jerusalem, including home demolition and evictionsand to freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth.
The U.S. concurs with the Quartet's conclusions. "Both Israel and the Palestinians need to comply with their obligations under the Roadmap," said State Department Spokesman Ian Kelly. ". . . . For the Palestinians, it means ending incitements to violence against Israel and demonstrating an ability to provide security. For Israel, it means. . . .[a] freeze on all activity relating to settlements, including natural growth."
After a recent meeting, the Quartet on the Middle East -- which is involved in supporting and coordinating international efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian and Arab-Israeli conflicts, and which consists of the United Nations, the European Union, the Russian Federation and the United States -- issued a statement that bolsters President Obama's 2-state assertion by emphasizing that "the only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one that ends the occupation that began in 1967 and fulfils the aspirations of both parties for independent homelands through 2 states for 2 peoples, Israel and an independent, contiguous, and viable state of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security."
The Quartet called on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to implement their obligations under the Roadmap, and cautioned both sides to stop incitement and violence against civilians.
The Quartet acknowledged progress made by the Palestinian Authority to reform its security sector, and called on the Palestinian Authority to improve law and order and to fight violent extremism. It also urged the Palestinian government to enhance its efforts to build the institutions of the future Palestinian state.
The Quartet urged the government of Israel to refrain from provocative actions in East Jerusalem, including home demolition and evictionsand to freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth.
The U.S. concurs with the Quartet's conclusions. "Both Israel and the Palestinians need to comply with their obligations under the Roadmap," said State Department Spokesman Ian Kelly. ". . . . For the Palestinians, it means ending incitements to violence against Israel and demonstrating an ability to provide security. For Israel, it means. . . .[a] freeze on all activity relating to settlements, including natural growth."
