Send Page to a Friend Jewish Community Commends Israeli and Palestinian Leadership for Summit; Expresses Cautious Optimism for Peace (February 8, 2005) Susan A. Calechman and Nancy K. Kaufman, President and Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, released this statement following today's summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, between Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. During the day-long summit, Israel and the Palestinian Authority agreed to pursue a peaceful solution to their conflict and put an end to four years of violence. "The summit is a strong indication that the winds of change are blowing in the Middle East," said Calechman and Kaufman. "After four and a half years of terror, the death of Yasser Arafat and democratic elections in the Palestinian Authority, a window of opportunity has opened for the peace process to resume. We are hopeful that today's summit will be the start of a new chapter in the Middle East." Prime Minister Sharon said Tuesday would be remembered as the day the peace process moved toward the goal of "quiet, dignified and peaceful lives for all the nations in the Middle East." "Israel intends to honor the Palestinians' right to live in independence and dignity," Sharon said. "Violence will not be allowed to murder hope."