On the third anniversary of the speech by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Bar-Ilan University in which he endorsed the necessity for an independent Palestinian state, World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder has publicly called Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to come to the negotiating table without preconditions and make peace with Israel. In an open letter, published in a full-page ad in the 'Wall Street Journal and the weekly newspaper ‘European Voice’ on Thursday and the 'Jerusalem Post' on Friday, Lauder said “neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians, nor any of us who seek peace in the region can afford further delay. “
Citing Netanyahu’s words of June 2009, Lauder highlighted Israel’s desire to make peace and threw his weight behind the efforts by Netanyahu to bring stability to the region. The Israeli prime minister had said in his speech on 14 June 2009: “I appeal tonight to the leaders of the Arab countries and say: Let us meet. Let us talk about peace. Let us make peace. I am willing to meet at any time, at any place, in Damascus, in Riyadh, in Beirut, and in Jerusalem as well.”
The WJC president emphasized that the Palestinians still declined the prime minister’s offer to begin direct talks with no preconditions.
Lauder concluded his open letter by stating: “President Abbas, both your people and the people of Israel will benefit from an agreement. Both will continue to suffer without one. Accept the offer to talk, President Abbas. It takes two sides to make peace.”
View the WJC ad here.
Text of the open letter by WJC President Ronald S. Lauder
On June 14, 2009, exactly three years ago today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared his government recognizes the need to establish a Palestinian state and offered to meet with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to negotiate an agreement. With his historic speech at Bar-Ilan University, broadcast live in Israel and parts of the Arab world, Prime Minister Netanyahu extended his hand. “I appeal tonight to the leaders of the Arab countries and say: Let us meet. Let us talk about peace. Let us make peace I am willing to meet at any time, at any place, in Damascus, in Riyadh, in Beirut, and in Jerusalem as well.”
Yet three years have now gone by. And the Palestinians still decline the offer to begin direct talks with no preconditions. Neither the Israelis, nor the Palestinians, nor any of us who seek peace in the region can afford further delay. President Abbas, both your people and the people of Israel will benefit from an agreement. Both will continue to suffer without one.
Accept the offer to talk, President Abbas. It takes two sides to make peace.
Ronald S. Lauder
President, World Jewish Congress
