Today, J Street Executive Director Jeremy Ben-Ami released the following statement:
J Street welcomes Senator Mitchell’s announcement today that Israeli and Palestinian leadership have accepted proximity talks. We commend the U.S. administration for its concerted efforts to engage the parties and its strong commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic resolution to the conflict. While these talks are a step in the right direction toward a two-state resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ending the conflict will require more than talk and process. It will take strong and sustained American – and international – leadership to bridge differences and to support all sides in making difficult, but necessary compromises for peace. The window of opportunity for achieving a tenable two-state solution is nearly closed, and the coming years are the last chance to secure Israel’s future as a democracy that is a national home for the Jewish people. We urge a seriousness of purpose from all involved that reflects the gravity of what is at stake.