J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami released the following statement in response to Ambassador Martin Indyk’s resignation from the State Department:
Ambassador Martin Indyk put his heart and soul into this latest effort to reach a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We are grateful for everything that he has done to advance the cause of peace and security in the Middle East in this effort and in the past. Ambassador Indyk is a good friend of J Street, and we were proud to support his and Secretary of State Kerry’s important work.
As this chapter of efforts to resolve the conflict closes, the goal of getting to two states for two peoples remains as urgent as ever, both for American interests and for the sake of Israel’s Jewish and democratic future.
We recognize that there are many pressing issues on the administration’s plate – in the Middle East and beyond. However, we urge President Obama and Secretary Kerry not to step back, but to search for new ways to move forward. The absence of diplomacy is in no one’s interest but those on the extremes. We believe the time has come for the administration to put forward an American framework for a two-state solution, which would provide a clear set of parameters for any future negotiations.
The current painful crisis over the missing Israeli teenagers is just the latest reminder that the decades-long cycle of violence and suffering will only continue and deepen until there is sufficient courageous leadership to end it.
Ambassador Indyk is one of those rare leaders who has spoken the truth on these issues. We look forward to partnering with him again in the future.