Negotiating A Two State Solution

Briefing on Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks

George Mitchell, Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, Jerusalem,
September 15, 2010

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I apologize for the delay, but it’s the result of the fact that a serious and substantive discussion is well underway. The trilateral discussion this evening lasted for about two hours. Present were Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Abbas, Secretary Clinton, and myself. We’re grateful to the prime minister and to the Government of Israel for hosting the meeting.

Remarks With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Washington, DC. September 2, 2010

…I want to thank all of you for joining us today to re-launch negotiations to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I know the decision to sit at this table was not easy. We understand the suspicion and skepticism that so many feel, born out of years of conflict and frustrated hopes. The tragic act of terror on Tuesday and the terrorist shooting yesterday are yet additional reminders of the human costs of this conflict. But by being here today, you each have taken an important step toward freeing your peoples from the shackles of a history we cannot change, and moving toward a future of peace and dignity that only you can create. So, thank you. Thank you for your courage and your commitment.

President Obama on Bilateral Mideast Peace Meetings

Remarks by the President in the Rose Garden after Bilateral Meetings  01 September 2010

Upon taking office, I declared that America is a friend of each nation and every person who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that the United States was ready to lead in pursuit of that future.  At the beginning of my administration, I stated that it was our policy to actively and aggressively seek a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as a comprehensive peace between Israel and all of its Arab neighbors. And to support my outstanding Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton’s leadership, I appointed a special envoy and one of our nation’s finest statesmen, former Senator George Mitchell, to guide our efforts.

• Remarks by the President in the Rose Garden after Bilateral Meetings Translation: Hebrew (PDF 45kb)

• Middle East Peace Process — Information Resources
  Official transcripts, IIP articles and U.S. government documents
  

CRS reports:

• U.S. Foreign Aid to the Palestinians. August 12, 2010 (pdf 255kb)
• Israel and the Palestinians: Prospects for a Two-State Solution. January 8, 2010 (pdf 620kb)
• The Palestinians: Background and U.S. Relations. January 8, 2010  (pdf 892kb)
• Israeli-Arab Negotiations: Background, Conflicts, and U.S. Policy. January 29, 2010  (pdf 567kb) 
• U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel. December 4, 2009  (pdf 288kb)
• Israel: Background and Relations with the United States. April 2, 2009 (pdf 709kb)
  
  

Key Documents: 

Roadmap to Solution of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, April 30, 2003.

A Performance-Based Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The U.S. State Department April 30 released the text of the "roadmap" to a permanent solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The roadmap specifies the steps for the two parties to take to reach a settlement, and a timeline for doing so, under the auspices of the Quartet -- the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, and Russia. http://telaviv.usembassy.gov/ac/rm.aspx 

Sharm El-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee Report, April 30, 2001 

The Government of Israel (GOI) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) must act swiftly and decisively to halt the violence. Their immediate objectives then should be to rebuild confidence and resume negotiations…
http://telaviv.usembassy.gov/ac/sh.aspx  

United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2001-2007:

• UN Security Council Resolution 1544
  
• UN Security Council Resolution 1515
  
• UN Security Council Resolution 1435
  
• UN Security Council Resolution 1405
  
• UN Security Council Resolution 1403
• UN Security Council Resolution 1402
  
• UN Security Council Resolution 1397

1967-1963

• UN Security Council Resolution 338 (1973)
  
• UN Security Council Resolution 242 (1967)
  
  

For further assistance in obtaining documents on “Negotiating A Two-State Solution” please contact the IRC at TelavivPDIRC@state.gov  or 02-6255755 ext. 330/331