2013 Briefing Book - Print Version - Aipac

PEACE PROCESS
Direct Talks: The Key to
Israeli‐Palestinian Peace
The only way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is through direct
negotiations. While Israel has worked with the United States to pave the way
for serious discussions, PLO Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has refused to hold
high-level, direct talks with Israel and is taking unilateral steps that only
serve to undermine U.S.-backed peace efforts.
KEY POINTS
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken far-reaching steps to pave the way for
substantive talks with the Palestinians.
• Netanyahu has called for a Palestinian state, reduced barriers to movement in the West Bank,
bolstered the Palestinian economy, and implemented an unprecedented 10-month West Bank
housing construction moratorium.
• Despite these steps, PLO Chairman and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas
continues to reject high-level, direct talks with Israel. Instead of negotiating, the Palestinians
have sought recognition as a non-member observer state at the U.N. General Assembly
outside of talks with Israel—a direct violation of the Oslo Accords.
• As the United States pursues peace between Israel and its neighbors, it should adhere to the
key principles that have guided past negotiations.
The Important Role That Congress Can Play
Congress should continue to support U.S. diplomatic efforts to bring Israelis and Palestinians into
direct negotiations while urging the administration to remain both a trusted mediator between
the parties and a devoted friend to Israel. Congress should also continue to make clear to the
Palestinians that the United States will reexamine America’s diplomatic and financial relationship
with the Palestinians if they continue to refuse to negotiate with Israel. Congress should stand firm
in calling on the Palestinians to end incitement and cease violence against Israel and refusing to
provide aid to any Palestinian government that includes an unreformed Hamas.
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