American views of
the peace process
There are many divergent views on the peace process held by U.S.
officials, citizens and lobbying groups. The U.S. government has
contributed significant levels of financial and military support to
Israel for decades. U.S. aid to Israel exceeds the amount of foreign
aid that the U.S. provides to any other country. In 2002, the US
began providing limited financial assistance to the Palestinian
Authority (about $100 million annually), and has encouraged European
nations to contribute as well, leading to a total contribution of
more than one billion dollars.
The U.S. has veto power in the U.N. Security Council and is able to
block resolutions it opposes, and it has frequently vetoed
resolutions critical of Israel's actions, while criticising other
nations for similar actions.
• "The United States will always stand with Israel, always remember
that only a strong Israel can make peace." -- U.S. President Bill
Clinton, December 13, 1998.
• "Israel is entitled to the land they have. . . it should not be a
part of the peace process." -- U.S. Senator James Inhofe, February,
2002.
• "Israel has got responsibilities. Israel must deal with the
settlements. Israel must make sure there is a contiguous territory
that the Palestinians can call home." -- U.S. President George W.
Bush, June 3, 2003.
• "Palestinian leaders must bring an end to the violence against
Israelis, and find a way, with the help of others, to rein in
militant groups. Israel must be prepared to meet its obligations, as
outlined in the Bush administration's road map, and in the Mitchell
plan, with respect to settlements." -- 2004 U.S. Presidential
candidate John Kerry, October 17, 2003.
All recent U.S. Presidents have maintained a policy that Israel must
give up some of the land that it conquered in the 1967 war in order
to achieve peace; that the Palestinians must actively prevent
terrorism; that Israel has an unconditional right to exist; and that
the Palestinians should eventually have their own democratic state.
American views of the peace process
Major issues between the two sides
Attempts to make peace
Other peace projects
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