J Street welcomes the State Department announcement of an agreement signed by United States Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni intended to stop the flow of weapons into the the Gaza strip. The agreement is an affirmation of the lasting strategic partnership between Israel and the United States and the positive role that the United States can play in helping Israel achieve long term peace and security through diplomatic engagement in the region and a two-state solution.
We encourage all parties to continue their efforts to bring about a sustainable ceasefire that ends all military operations, stops the rockets aimed at Israel, institutes an effective mechanism to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza to re-arm Hamas, and lifts the blockade of Gaza. This latest announcement brings us closer to a sustainable ceasefire that meets these conditions.