Jewish Community Relations Council Supports Middle East Peace Initiative
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy K. Kaufman (617) 457-8642
(617) 620-9503
Alan S. Ronkin (617) 457-8600
(617) 480-5343
(Boston) November 15, 2007
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston issued the following statement regarding the United States-sponsored meeting between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators in Annapolis, Maryland currently scheduled for November 28:
“We unequivocally support the efforts of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to renew the process of settling their decades-long conflict which we hope will lead to a two-state solution with the states of Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. We wholeheartedly support the involvement of the United States, particularly Secretary of State Rice and her team, in taking a hands-on leadership role toward moving the process forward. We also support Prime Minister Olmert’s call for the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.
Israel continually has made painful concessions in return for an end to the conflict with the Palestinians including completely pulling out of Gaza in August 2005. We welcome the partnership of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and hope for a willingness to compromise during this ongoing process. It is our hope that we will see an end to incitement, terror and violence and that, finally, Israelis and Palestinians will be able to live side by side,” said Stuart T. Rossman, JCRC President.
“This conference is the beginning of the long negotiations that will have to occur before Israel and the Palestinian Authority are able to make any real progress. As we see from the daily bombardment of the city of Sderot by Hamas in Gaza, we are reminded of the obstacles that must be overcome to achieve peace and security. At the same time, we believe that Annapolis represents a hopeful opportunity. While the process will be slow and at times frustrating, we remain committed to supporting aspirations for peace and the end of the conflict,” said Steve Grossman, chair of JCRC’s Israel Action Center Advisory Board.
