The Israel Policy Forum is applauding Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s strong statement yesterday reiterating that President Obama "wants to see a stop to settlements — not some settlements, not outposts, not natural-growth exceptions."
"Settlement growth in the West Bank serves to undermine efforts to strengthen moderate Palestinian leaders and to negotiate a lasting two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," said IPF in a statement. "As such, settlement growth also represents a major roadblock towards ensuring Israel’s security and future as a Jewish, democratic state."
IPF’s full statement is after the jump; [[READMORE]]
Israel Policy Forum applauds Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s reiteration yesterday that President Obama "wants to see a stop to settlements — not some settlements, not outposts, not natural-growth exceptions."
Settlement growth in the West Bank serves to undermine efforts to strengthen moderate Palestinian leaders and to negotiate a lasting two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As such, settlement growth also represents a major roadblock towards ensuring Israel’s security and future as a Jewish, democratic state.
As Israel Policy Forum conveyed in our recent letter to President Obama and in a full-page ad in the New York Times, halting settlement growth is one of the key steps that must be taken in order to regain momentum toward the two-state solution.
Ensuring that both sides meet their respective obligations is a critical leadership role of the United States. Secretary Clinton’s clear statement yesterday underscores the importance of the settlement issue, and is yet another welcome demonstration of leadership by the Obama administration.
