Clinton urges Israel to do more for the peace process
16 April 2010
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged Israel to do more towards making peace with the Palestinians. She said Israel should support efforts by the Palestinian Authority to strengthen institutions in the West Bank and called on the Palestinians to promote peace by ending incitement and fighting corruption.
Speaking at an event in Washington, Clinton said Israel ought to "refrain from unilateral statements and actions" that could undermine the peace process. "Prime Minister Netanyahu has embraced the vision of the two-state solution. But easing up on access and movement in the West Bank, in response to credible Palestinian security performance, is not sufficient to prove to the Palestinians that this embrace is sincere. We encourage Israel to continue building momentum toward a comprehensive peace by demonstrating respect for the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians, stopping settlement activity and addressing the humanitarian needs in Gaza."
Clinton said supporting the Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas was the best weapon to counter Hamas and other extremists. Praising efforts by Abbas to tackle violence, corruption and economic woes, Clinton said she feared his constituents would look to the Islamist movement Hamas if he is unable to show achievements. "What I worry about is that the failure to act now when there are changed circumstances... will not just set us back but may irreversibly prevent us from going forward," the head of US diplomacy said.
In recent month, the Obama administration has been trying to launch indirect talks between the two sides, but so far without success.
» Full Text of Letter from Ronald S. Lauder to President Obama
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World Jewish Congress Secretary General Dan Diker speaks on the upcoming debate at the United Nations about the unilateral declaration of statehood by the Palestinians.
Jean-Loup Msika, over 2 years ago
How long does this lady think that she can keep lecturing the israelis, from the comfort and safety of her D.C. office? This is obnoxious! Jean-Loup Msika