'If Mideast peace isn't realized now, it may never come'
Senator John Kerry: Region cannot endure another generation growing up knowing only conflict.
By Natasha Mozgovaya Tags: Israel news Middle East peace GazaIf Israel and the Palestinians don't reach a peace agreement now, the opportunity to do so could be lost forever, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry said at U.S.-Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar on Saturday.
"Undoubtedly the most crucial and most vexing of all issues is how we can revitalize a Mideast peace process that delivers peace?not just process?because if we don?t do it now, the door may well shut forever," Kerry said.
"No one can overstate the dangers of another generation growing up knowing only conflict," the U.S. senator added.
Speaking about Israel's desire to see ties with Arab nations warm as part of the peace process with the Palestinian Authority, Kerry said that the "Arab world cannot simply wait for Israeli-Palestinian peace before improving relations with Israel."
"Building trust must be a step-by-step process, and the region must recognize Israel?s desire for acceptance and its fundamental need for security. And perhaps most importantly, the leading voices in the Arab world have a vital role to play with their people in creating the atmosphere for lasting peace with Israel," Kerry said.
On the humanitarian crisis taking place in Gaza as a result of Israel and Egypt's blockade on the coastal Strip, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman said that "year ago, I saw firsthand the devastation there ? and it is a tragedy that so little has been rebuilt since then."
"In southern Israel, I also saw the toll that Hamas rockets had inflicted in a barrage that no country would endure interminably. But our grievance is not with the people of Gaza," Kerry said, adding that the process could "benefit by finding ways to allow them to rebuild their homes and their lives without empowering those who seek violence."
Kerry's comments came a day after United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Israelis and Palestinians to promptly resume talks to overcome the daunting obstacles in the way of settling their conflict.
"Permanent status issues, including Jerusalem, borders, refugees, security, settlements and water will be resolved only through negotiations," Ban said in a message to the UN meeting in support of Israeli-Palestinian peace being held in Qawra, Malta.
In addition to encouraging the two parties to return to the negotiating table, Ban also criticized Israel's settlement building as well as the rocket fire coming from Gaza.
"At this crucial juncture, Israel should refrain from taking steps, which have the potential to prejudge negotiations and create tensions," he said, citing the expansion of Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem and eviction of some Palestinians from the area.
The Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip inflicted "protracted suffering" on Palestinians, which is a source of great concern, Ban said. He described the blockade as "unacceptable and counter-productive" to development and reconstruction in the war-torn territory.
On the other hand, Ban condemned renewed rocket fire from Gaza, "which indiscriminately targets Israeli civilians."
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Natasha Mozgovaya
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Lasting peace requires justice, not zealotry. Unfortunately Obama and Netanyahu are not up to the challenge of ignoring zealotry in favor of truth. People endure even as politicians fail to lead. However politicians relegate them to pain and suffering. It is sad that political adventure will prevail rather than people seeking the truth.
THE SAUDI PLAN IS NOT A WITHDRAWAL TO TERRITORIES AFTER THE 6 DAY WAR BUT A WITHDRAWAL TO TERRITORIES BEFORE THE 6 DAY WAR. NO NEGOTIATIONS OR COUNTER OFFER WAS ACCEPTABLE FOR COMMUNITIES ON ARAB OR ISRAELI SIDES OF THE LINE. SIGN ON AND THEN MAYBE WE WILL ADJUST THE BORDERS...SIGN ON TO AN AGREEMENT AND THEN DISAGREE TO WHAT YOU AGREED TO IS WHAT HAS BROKEN THIS AGREEMENT.IT IS IRRATIONAL AND RIGID, IT IS NOT A TOOL FOR DIPLOMACY IT IS AN EXERCISE IN DICTATORSHIP WELL HONED TO A SCIENCE IN SAUDI ARABIA.
Larry -- While it may be true that we don?t really know what we?re doing over there, it is also quite obvious, based on what has been going on there for at least the period since the end of World War I, that they don?t either. And we do have a vital interest in what is going on there, as this dispute could easily spin out of control and lead to wider war (as it has nearly done on more than one occasion). So, maybe we need to stop saying nothing can be done and roll up our sleeves and do the best we can. Sen. Kerry and Secretary General Ban are good men, and I believe they are giving Israelis and Arabs good advice.
to the suffering. Hamas can stop the rockets for a year. Do you think that Israel will open the borders? I don't think so.
Binyamin, I agree with your posting and add that P.M. Olmert & Livni met w/Arab leaders in Annapolis, Maryland (US Navel Acad.) in Nov '07 to discuss the Arab League peace proposal. During the 70's, 80's or 90's there was not the overt support from neighboring Arab countries to help solve the Palestinian/Israeli problem, as there is now. Time is now and its running short.
thank hashem that Edmund Munster lost by 5million votes! No doubt he knew about John Edward's love child but that is politics my dear
I am sorry but it may never come has always been.
No one in a position of Power in the West has any idea what is going on or has been going on for 5 thousand years in the Middle East, it pre dates Islam. In essence it is a big family fued. Out siders have no place in this process.
The 22 member states of the Arab League, led by Saudi Arabia, put forward a simple proposal to Israel in 2002: withdraw from the territories occupied after the '67 war (with agreed upon adjustments to the border), compensate the refugees, recognize a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and we will recognize Israel. They have reiterated the plan at least four times, most recently at the Riyadh Summit in 2007. Israel's response? "Netanyahu flatly rejected the initiative after the 2007 summit meeting. He told visiting Arab foreign ministers that "The withdrawal from Gaza two years ago proved that any Israeli withdrawal – particularly a unilateral one – does not advance peace, but rather establishes a terror base for radical Islam."[36] Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on April 21, 2009 that the plan is "a dangerous proposal, a recipe for the destruction if Israel." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Peace_Initiative#Statements_by_Israelis
"It's now or never come hold me tight kiss me my darling be mine tonight tomorrow will be too late. It's now or never my love won't wait".
Kerry has it the wrong way round. The suffering in Gaza is because of the rockets. The rockets stop the suffering in gaza stops. Simple.
("Building trust must be a step-by-step process, and the region must recognize Israel?s desire for acceptance and its fundamental need for security.) ... it's what can the world do for the Jews.