JAC Welcomes Direct Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks, US Involvement

September 1, 2010 -- As a pro-Israel organization that has long supported a US role in facilitating peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinians, JAC welcomes the resumption of direct peace negotiations, with the United States hosting the talks.  There will be many obstacles to achieving peace like the terrorist attack on Tuesday. In a horrific act meant to block progress, Hamas launched a terrorist attack that killed four Israelis. The Palestinian Authority condemned the attack.

We applaud President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and Special Middle East Envoy George Mitchell for their tireless efforts in bringing the parties together. Because of JAC's longstanding relationships with these leaders, we have confidence in the potential for a solution that will allow Israel to live in peace and security with her neighbors.

When JAC was founded in 1981, this dialogue could not have been imagined.  No one even mentioned the phrase "two-state solution" and the thought of engagement with any Palestinian was unthinkable from a pro-Israel perspective. That was the year JAC met George Mitchell and began working on his first election campaign. It was also the year JAC began its long relationship with Senator Dick Durbin who challenged Rep. Paul Findley and won election to the House, after Findley brought Yasser Arafat to the House dining room.

 JAC supports this peace process like others before it, but takes no position on internal Israeli politics or policies. In thirty years of relationships and dialogue with members of the US Congress, JAC has delivered a consistent message of support for the special relationship between the United States and Israel, a relationship built on shared values and strategic interests.

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Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs (JACPAC) is a bipartisan national organization  committed to the special relationship between the US and Israel and a social agenda that includes reproductive choice and separation of religion and state. JAC provides financial support for US Senate and House candidates who uphold this agenda; JAC maintains ongoing dialogue with those it helps elect;  JAC serves as a political resource for the Jewish community, furnishing information about candidates, elections and issues.