Secretary of State John Kerry is on the verge of achieving something of vital importance to the United States.
It is getting Israel and the Palestinian Authority talking again, looking for a permanent peace agreement between them.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/20/world/meast/mideast-palestinians-israel/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
Israel already is making the first “goodwill gesture,” in releasing some Palestinian political prisoners. I’m hopeful now the Palestinians will return the gesture, or something akin to it to demonstrate that they, too, are interested in forging a lasting peace.
I’ve had the honor of visiting Israel, spending five weeks there in May and June 2009. I’ve seen how close the Israelis live to those who have made it their mission to eradicate Israel. The threat of violence — even war — is with them constantly. They persevere and go on with their lives in such a way that one doesn’t detect Israelis’ outward fear of extermination.
The two sides need to talk and talk some more.
The agreement to begin those negotiations makes me hope — to borrow a phrase from an earlierĀ negotiation involving the United States and North Vietnam — that “peace is at hand.”
Stay with it, Mr. Secretary.
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