Meretz USA Applauds Bush and Olmert on Seeking Negotations but Cautions Against Unilateralism

05/25/2006

New York, NY….Meretz USA President Lilly Rivlin today sent letters to President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister  Ehud Olmert applauding  their statements of support for the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in their joint press conference Tuesday. Her letter  to the President praised his continued, clear commitment to a process of negotiations as the only way to achieve Israeli-Palestinian peace, citing his statement that, “[A]ny final status agreement will be only achieved on the basis of mutually agreed [territorial] changes, and no party should prejudice the outcome of negotiations on a final status agreement.”

The letter addressed to President Bush continued: “We urge Mr. Olmert not to forget your words in the formulation of his policy initiatives – notwithstanding your praise for Olmert’s ‘bold ideas’ regarding a second unilateral withdrawal.  Indeed, although the further de-occupation of the West Bank is a welcome goal, neither determining Israel’s future final borders unilaterally, nor unilaterally incorporating West Bank settlement blocs into the State of Israel, as you cautioned, will advance the prospects of final-status negotiations. 

“We were heartened by Mr. Olmert’s election-night speech, in which he stressed that a negotiated two-state agreement with the Palestinian people was unquestionably preferable to unilateral steps by Israel.  We are equally heartened by Palestinian President Abbas’ stated willingness to restart the negotiating process with Israel, toward a permanent, two-state solution.  Hence, we sincerely hope that Mr. Olmert’s promise yesterday to, ‘look and find every possible avenue to help establish a process of negotiations’ with the Palestinians reflects genuine intent, rather than a diplomatic nicety, designed to validate a predetermined course of unilateralism.

“Consequently, we strongly urge you and Prime Minister Olmert to concentrate your efforts on creating an effective mechanism for diplomatic engagement between the Israeli Prime Minister and Palestinian President.

“Certainly, Hamas’ control of the Palestinian Authority legislature and Cabinet poses a challenge to the search for peace – especially in view of the fact that Hamas, to date, has not accepted the demand of the United States and the international community to recognize Israel, endorse previously signed agreements with Israel and renounce terrorism.  Nonetheless, it is much too early to sign off on the conclusion that the only way forward is by unilateral Israeli action – especially if such action were to involve the perilous idea of unilateral Israeli annexation.

“Please be assured of our support as you continue to press forward on the path you outlined this Tuesday.”