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APN to Bush: Israeli Political Instability is No Excuse to Halt Peacemaking Efforts

"Withdrawing from the process altogether due to the state of limbo in Israeli politics would be a dire mistake, which neither Israelis nor Palestinians can afford."
Olmert - Bush - Abbas at Annapolis 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 3, 2008
CONTACT: Ori Nir - (202) 728-1893

Washington, D.C. - Americans for Peace Now (APN) today urged President Bush to keep pushing his efforts to advance peace between Israelis and Palestinians despite the current political instability in Israel.

The President may prefer not to focus on final status negotiations, which require fateful long-term decisions by an Israeli prime minister. However, there is no reason for Bush not to pursue measures that would improve the situation on the ground in the short term, such as security arrangements, a settlement freeze, and the removal of illegal outposts and roadblocks in the West Bank, APN said.

"President Bush will receive in the White House Wednesday an Israeli prime minister who is fighting for his political life. As the President meets with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the Israeli political system is preparing for early elections in the fall. Some may suggest that the current circumstances are not ideal to advance a major diplomatic initiative. This is a misguided view, which the President should reject. Withdrawing from the process altogether due to the state of limbo in Israeli politics would be a dire mistake, which neither Israelis nor Palestinians can afford. Political instability should not bring America's peace-making efforts to a halt," said Debra DeLee, APN's president and CEO. "At this time, the Bush administration should focus on preventing deterioration and on creating a better environment for future peace negotiations," DeLee added.

"By working with the Palestinian Authority on security measures and reform, and with the Israeli government on removing illegal outposts and superfluous roadblocks, and on freezing settlement activity, the Bush administration could keep the situation from worsening and prepare the environment for fruitful negotiations once the Israeli political arena stabilizes," said DeLee.

APN is a Jewish, Zionist organization dedicated to enhancing Israel's security through peace and to supporting the Israeli Peace Now movement.