Reaction to announcement of direct Israeli-Palestinian talks

Today’s announcement that direct talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority will resume in September is a welcome development. As the convener of the negotiations, the U.S. must insist that Palestinian leaders accept Israel’s legitimacy as a Jewish state, end terror and incitement, forswear the “right of return,” and accept Israeli sovereignty over a united Jerusalem. Israel has made many concessions already, for little in return.

The main obstacles to progress are the radical posturing of the Palestinian leadership, and the continued aggression of Hamas, which rejects peace. These problems must be addressed before any comprehensive agreement is possible. In addition, the new talks must not be used to delay, dampen or avoid actions to stop the nuclear ambitions of the Iranian regime, which is the chief engine of continued conflict in the Middle East.