Letter
Settlement Report | Vol. 7 No. 1 | January-February 1997- Clinton Administration Sharpens Focus on Settlements
- Settlers Demand More Tangible Support From Netanyahu
- To Our Readers
- Letter
- Settlement Timeline
- Short Takes
- U.S. Government Policy on Israeli Settlement in the Occupied Territories -- 1967-1996
- Peace Now Report Shows More Than 4,000 Units Under Construction in West Bank Settlements
- Back Panel Quote
December 14, 1996
H.E. Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister
State of Israel
Dear Prime Minister:
The undersigned have been involved in negotiating on behalf of the United States in the Middle East peace process over the past twenty years. The policy of the administrations from both political parties that we have served has been premised on the conviction that a lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict that ensures equity for all sides is in the interest of both the United States and our friends in the region.
We know that you are working hard to reach an agreement on the transfer of Hebron to the Palestinian Authority and congratulate you on continuing your efforts toward this important step. We recognize that this agreement has taken difficult and protracted negotiations, and your dedication and that of your Cabinet colleagues to bring about successful resolution of these issues merit our deepest respect. Certainly, there must be security for all citizens of Israel as a central requirement of this or any future agreement. Yet there must also be a negotiated accord among the parties on the division of lands in dispute.
We write because we are concerned that unilateral actions, such as the expansion of settlements, would be strongly counterproductive to the goal of a negotiated solution and, if carried forward, could halt progress made by the peace process over the last two decades. Such a tragic result would threaten the security of Israel, the Palestinians, friendly Arab states, and undermine U.S. interests in the Middle East.
We, therefore, urge you as Prime Minister of the State of Israel, just as we also urge all on the Arab side, not to take unilateral actions that would preclude a meaningful negotiated settlement and a comprehensive and lasting peace.
Sincerely,
James A. Baker, III
Former Secretary of State
Richard Fairbanks
Former Middle East Peace Negotiator
Zbigniew Brzezinski
Former National Security Adviser
Frank C. Carlucci
Former National Security Adviser
Lawrence S. Eagleburger
Former Secretary of State
Brent Scowcroft
Former National Security Adviser
Robert S. Strauss
Former Middle East Peace Negotiator
Cyrus R. Vance
Former Secretary of State
H.E. Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister
State of Israel
Dear Prime Minister:
The undersigned have been involved in negotiating on behalf of the United States in the Middle East peace process over the past twenty years. The policy of the administrations from both political parties that we have served has been premised on the conviction that a lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict that ensures equity for all sides is in the interest of both the United States and our friends in the region.
We know that you are working hard to reach an agreement on the transfer of Hebron to the Palestinian Authority and congratulate you on continuing your efforts toward this important step. We recognize that this agreement has taken difficult and protracted negotiations, and your dedication and that of your Cabinet colleagues to bring about successful resolution of these issues merit our deepest respect. Certainly, there must be security for all citizens of Israel as a central requirement of this or any future agreement. Yet there must also be a negotiated accord among the parties on the division of lands in dispute.
We write because we are concerned that unilateral actions, such as the expansion of settlements, would be strongly counterproductive to the goal of a negotiated solution and, if carried forward, could halt progress made by the peace process over the last two decades. Such a tragic result would threaten the security of Israel, the Palestinians, friendly Arab states, and undermine U.S. interests in the Middle East.
We, therefore, urge you as Prime Minister of the State of Israel, just as we also urge all on the Arab side, not to take unilateral actions that would preclude a meaningful negotiated settlement and a comprehensive and lasting peace.
Sincerely,
James A. Baker, III
Former Secretary of State
Richard Fairbanks
Former Middle East Peace Negotiator
Zbigniew Brzezinski
Former National Security Adviser
Frank C. Carlucci
Former National Security Adviser
Lawrence S. Eagleburger
Former Secretary of State
Brent Scowcroft
Former National Security Adviser
Robert S. Strauss
Former Middle East Peace Negotiator
Cyrus R. Vance
Former Secretary of State
