WASHINGTON—In a letter to President Donald
J. Trump, thirty-five Jewish, Christian and Muslim national religious
leaders agree that Israeli-Palestinian peace is possible. They believe,
“based on the legitimate, long-standing aspirations of Israelis and
Palestinians for national self-determination and security, a two-state solution
still represents the most realistic way to meet essential interests of
both peoples and to resolve the conflict.”

The
letter includes the signatures of Bishop Oscar Cantú,
of Las Cruses, Chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace,
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop
Emeritus of Washington.

The statement by Christian, Jewish and
Muslim religious leaders points to the fact that, “despite deep distrust on
both sides, recent polls among Israelis and Palestinians show that the majority
still yearn for two states.” The leaders believe, “pursing either side’s
version of a one-state solution would likely lead to more years of violent
conflict.”

The leaders are encouraged that, building
on years of official and informal negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians,
“the basic parameters of a framework for a two-state solution are widely
known.” And they say, “combined with a broader regional framework such as the
Arab Peace Initiative, the incentives for all sides to make the historic
decision for a two-state peace agreement are monumental.”

They believe that “achieving a just peace
between Israel and the Palestinians would have substantial positive effects for
the people of Israel and Palestine, the region, the United States’ own
interests, and our world.” The religious leaders are united in pledging their
“support for US efforts to achieve this goal.”

The full letter can be found at: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/global-issues/middle-east/israel-palestine/nili-letter-to-president-on-israel-palestine-2017-07-19.cfm

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Keywords:
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, President, President Donald J.
Trump, religious leaders, Israelis, Palestinians, two-state solution, Bishop
Oscar Cantú, Committee on International
Justice and Peace, Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus,
Washington, D.C., Arab Peace Initiative, conflict, peace.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Judy Keane
202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops