AJC Doubts Arab-Israeli Talks Can Resume in Near Term

American Jewish Committee
Tuesday, 17 October 2000

The American Jewish Committee today commended President Clinton for his valiant efforts in fostering an agreement to end the tragic violence in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

"The determination to advance Arab-Israeli peace demonstrated by President Clinton over the past seven years was evident once again in Sharm el-Sheikh," said Shulamith Bahat, acting executive director of the American Jewish Committee. "President Clinton's valiant efforts, we hope, will bring an end to this latest round of senseless violence, and engender a renewed commitment to peacemaking through direct, bilateral negotiations."

The American Jewish Committee remains concerned about the ability of Israelis and Palestinians to resume serious talks in the near term on a final-status accord.

"We will long be haunted by the tragic images of the past two weeks, especially the gleeful lynching and mutilation of two Israeli soldiers in Ramallah, the willful desecration and destruction of Joseph's Tomb, a scared site to Jews, the vehement hatred of Jews espoused in Palestinian society, and the overall incitement to violence perpetrated by Palestinian officials and media," said Ms. Bahat.

"Real progress in the peace process can only be made by those directly involved. We again appeal to Palestinian Authority Chairman Arafat to make every effort to lay the groundwork in Palestinian society and Arab countries for an era of peace with Israel, and, toward that end, to grasp Israel's long-outstretched hand for peace."

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org