To return to the new Peace Now website click here.

Joe Biden got it right: Settlements and peace talks don't go together.

biden israel 320x265.jpgOn Monday -- during the vice president's visit to Israel -- American peace envoy George Mitchell announced that Israelis and Palestinians will soon resume peace talks.

This is good news for those of us who care about peace for Israel. Negotiations are needed to achieve a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

But then on Tuesday -- while Biden was still in Israel -- the Israeli government announced plans for 1600 new housing units in contested East Jerusalem.

This is no way to make peace, and Joe Biden said so. "I condemn the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem," Biden said. He added that it is "precisely the kind of step that undermines the trust we need right now."

This type of American leadership is essential for peace talks to succeed. And we need your help to encourage the Obama administration to continue to press for peace.

This means America must be ready to lay down some clear principles on the key final status issues. And -- just like Joe Biden did yesterday -- America must be willing to confront Israel and the Palestinians when they fail to support peace.

Not only must America keep pressing Israel to stop pro-settlement policies, the Palestinians should be pressed to abandon public positions that suggest a lack of seriousness about negotiations.

Click here to edit and send your message for peace to President Barack Obama.