Obama Trip to Reignite Two State Solution

J Street congratulates President Obama on his decision to visit Israel and hopes his trip will lead to an early resumption of efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a two-state solution.

J Street has spent the past four years building support within the Jewish community for an American-led peace initiative. Polling shows an overwhelming majority of American Jews, like Americans as a whole, support a two-state solution under which an independent Palestine would be established alongside Israel. Majorities of both Israelis and Palestinians also support the two-state solution.

In response to reports that the trip will take place this spring, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami issued the following statement:

“After two-and-a-half years of deadlock in the peace process, this trip is indeed welcome news. Thousands in the pro-Israel, pro-peace community have been working toward bold US leadership on a two-state solution, which is necessary for Israel’s security, democracy and Jewish character.”

“With Secretary of State John Kerry committed to making a serious effort to settle the conflict and the prospect of a new, centrist Israeli government prepared to make a fresh start, this trip could be an important historic moment. It’s important that this be a very substantive, rather than a ceremonial visit. We hope President Obama, Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas will seize this opportunity.”

“J Street will do whatever it can to support the President in this task and believes that with goodwill on all sides and the backing of the international community, the parties can meet the challenge.”