AIPAC praises Clinton’s comments on Israel, settlements

AIPAC is applauding Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s praise for Israel’s "unprecedented" willingness to restrain settlement construction.

Clinton made the remarks Saturday evening in a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Saturday evening. (Transcript here.)

"As Secretary Clinton emphasized, at the very moment Israel is taking ‘unprecedented’ steps to aid the cause of peace — making greater concessions than any previous Israeli government — it is Palestinian pre-conditions never heard before and the PA’s continual refusal to sit down and negotiate with Israel that are the immediate obstacles to restarting peace talks," said the pro-Israel lobby in a statement.

The full statement is after the jump:[[READMORE]]

AIPAC Applauds Obama Administration Praise of Israel’s "Unprecedented" Steps in Pursuit of Peace

AIPAC applauds Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who, speaking in Jerusalem on behalf of the Obama Administration, praised the "unprecedented" steps (1) being taken by the Government of Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu to restrain settlement activity and bolster the pursuit of peace. 

As Secretary Clinton emphasized, at the very moment Israel is taking "unprecedented" steps to aid the cause of peace – making greater concessions than any previous Israeli government – it is Palestinian pre-conditions never heard before and the PA’s continual refusal to sit down and negotiate with Israel that are the immediate obstacles to restarting peace talks.

For over 60 years Israel has offered its hand in peace, demonstrating again and again their willingness to make real and heartrending sacrifices – altering borders, relinquishing territory, uprooting families and entire communities – in the pursuit of peace.

It is AIPAC’s hope that the Palestinian Authority will match Israel’s commitment to peace and respond to the Obama Administration’s calls to drop all preconditions and immediately renew negotiations – and that Arab states, Saudi Arabia especially, will heed the calls of both the U.S. House (2) & Senate (3) and President Obama (4,5) to take immediate and meaningful steps toward normalization and demonstrate their support for the pursuit of peace.

In the past few months alone, Israel has taken dramatic steps to improve the everyday lives of Palestinians in the West Bank, removing more than 140 security roadblocks and inspection points to ease movement and boost commerce.  Israel has also undertaken a major effort to help bolster the Palestinian economy – moves the International Monetary Fund predicts will result in seven percent GDP growth for the West Bank this year.

Israel is taking meaningful steps and tangible risks for peace.

Now it is time — well past time — for the Palestinians and Arabs States to heed U.S. calls and match Israel’s commitment to peace with actions of their own.

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FOOTNOTES

1) http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/10/131145.htm
2)http://bit.ly/4FQ70q
3)http://bit.ly/RuRHx
4) http://bit.ly/e5bCf
5)http://bit.ly/9Kdy3