Brit Tzedek v’Shalom

Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace

The Jewish Advocate
Letter to the Editor

May 18, 2006
David Matz

When Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert meets with President Bush next week, I hope they will explore ways to engage in proactive diplomatic engagement with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

While I’m happy to see any Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory, I’m worried that the pursuit of a unilateral solution to the conflict such as Israel is suggesting will lead only to a renewal of violence.

Hamas hasn’t recognized Israel or forsworn violence, but Hamas has sent many signals that may mean a readiness to change policy. I hope that neither Israel nor the U.S. ignore those signals. The only sure path to a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians is a negotiated, two-state solution, and every opportunity to explore that possibility should be exploited.

David Matz
Board of Directors, Brit Tzedek, Boston