Letter
Letter to Secretary of State Clinton on Israeli-Palestinian Peace and West Bank Settlements, July 13, 2012
July 13, 2012
The Honorable Hillary Clinton
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20520
Dear Secretary Clinton:
During your visit to Israel next week, I urge you to reinforce strongly the unequivocal opposition of the United States to the recommendations of the Levy Commission Report in all contacts with the government of Israel. This report recommends legalization of all settlement outposts in the West Bank. Adoption of the Levy Commission Report by the Government of Israel would undermine a two-state solution to the conflict, a secure and recognized Israel living in peace alongside a viable and independent Palestinian state.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops shares the hopes expressed by Pope Benedict XVI earlier this year: “In the Holy Land, where tensions between Palestinians and Israelis affect the stability of the entire Middle East, it is necessary that the leaders of these two peoples adopt courageous and farsighted decisions in favor of peace. … I express my hope that [negotiations] … will lead to a lasting peace which guarantees the right of the two peoples to dwell in security in sovereign states and within secure and internationally recognized borders.”
Thank you for amplifying longstanding U.S. policy that rejects unilateral actions by either party that undermine a two-state solution and a just peace.
Sincerely yours,
Most Rev. Richard E. Pates
Bishop of Des Moines
Chairman, Committee on International Justice and Peace
United States Conference of Catholic Bishop