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A Wake Up Call in Jerusalem

Posted: Mar 11, 2010

Israel’s recent announcement of 1,600 new housing units in East Jerusalem wasn't just a slap in the face to Vice President Joe Biden.

It was a wake-up call to us all that business-as-usual peace processing is bringing us no closer to ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And now it may derail or delay the proximity talks just announced by Special Envoy Mitchell.

The alarm bells couldn’t be ringing more loudly, telling us that hope is fading for a future where a Jewish, democratic Israel lives side-by-side in peace and security with the state of the Palestinian people.

Yet an urgency of purpose suited to the danger of the moment is missing – here in the U.S., in Israel and in the American Jewish community. The time has come for strong action, not more talk.

Click here to join our petition to the President asking for stronger American leadership to ensure a two-state solution now. We'll deliver your petitions - in person - to the White House on Monday.

Israeli-Palestinian Proximity Talks Announced

Posted: Mar 10, 2010

J Street was pleased by Senator Mitchell’s announcement that Israeli and Palestinian leadership have accepted proximity talks and commended the U.S. administration for its concerted efforts to engage the parties and its strong commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

While these talks are a step in the right direction toward a two-state resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and finally securing Israel's future as a democratic homeland of the Jewish people, ending the conflict will require strong and sustained American - and international - leadership to bridge differences and to support all sides in making difficult, but necessary compromises for peace.

Additional Links:

Statement by Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell, March 8, 2010.
J Street Statement on Announcement of Proximity Talks, March 8, 2010.

"Proximity Talks: Prospects for Success?" by Daniel Kurtzer. Foreign Policy, March 9, 2010.
"Proximity Mean Close," by Gershon Baskin. The Jerusalem Post, March 9, 2010.

J Street Condemns PA's Honoring of Terrorist

J Street strongly condemns the decision by the Palestinian Authority to honor Dalal Mughrabi, the leader of a 1978 terror attack that murdered 38 Israeli civilians, including 13 children. By promoting incitement through the glorification of terrorists and their actions, this decision harms the prospects for a two-state solution and true peace and reconciliation with Israel.

J Street Joins VP Biden in Condemning New East Jerusalem Construction

J Street joins Vice President Biden in condemning Israel's announcement of new East Jerusalem construction that only serves to hinder Middle East peace efforts, particularly as the Israelis and Palestinians begin proximity talks. As Vice President Biden said, this is "precisely the kind of step that undermines the trust we need right now."

About J Street

J Street is the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans to advocate for vigorous U.S. leadership to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to broaden debate around Israel and the Middle East in national politics and the American Jewish community.

J Street