Presbyterians For Middle East Peace

The best path forward is the two-state Solution

We believe that majorities in both Israel and Palestine want peace and want it sooner rather than later. Operating on that assumption, the best path to peace is the “two-state solution”, with Israel the homeland of the Jewish people and Palestine the homeland of the Palestinian people. The borders between Israel and Palestine should be negotiated between parties with fair and sensible land swaps that include considerations for Israel’s future security and Palestine’s economic viability.

Ending the conflict comes first

We strongly believe that an end to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is a necessary condition for creation of a Palestinian state, and that the conflict is the root cause of the Israeli military presence in and around the disputed Palestinian territories. If there were no conflict, there would be no occupation.

Both peoples must embrace peace

We believe that peace can only be achieved when both the people of Israel and the Palestinian people broadly support a peaceful two-state solution. These are necessary conditions, and only then can government leaders of both sides successfully negotiate the final details of peace.

Pluralism and tolerance benefit everyone

We believe that both Israel and the future state of Palestine will benefit from embracing pluralism and policies of non-discrimination based on ethnicity, race, or religion.

Progress toward peace should be recognized and supported

We endorse Palestinian efforts directed at discouraging violence, building civil institutions and promoting civil rights, establishing the rule of law, promoting democracy, and expanding economic opportunity. We believe that both Palestinian and Israeli leaders, and the international community, deserve recognition and gratitude for the substantial progress made.

The threats and barriers to peace cannot be ignored

We believe it is wrong to trivialize or ignore the fact that Israel today faces factions and groups that openly call for the Jewish State’s violent destruction and threaten it’s people. Groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah are the primary obstacle to the two-state solution and make the Israeli military presence in and around Palestinian territories necessary. These groups, and others that oppose peace and call for the destruction of Israel, must be rejected by the Palestinian people before a Palestinian state can be created.