We urge the United States Government to join the international community in recognizing Palestine alongside Israel on the 1967 borders, with its capital in East Jerusalem.  

We believe that will be in the best interest of the people and government of the United States, as well as the peoples of Israel and Palestine. It will contribute to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and provide peace, security, and the prospect for prosperity for both Israeli and Palestinian peoples.  

The peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine have been deadlocked for many years. They have failed to reach any substantial agreements. Meanwhile Israel has expanded its settlements that effectively appropriate 40% of West Bank land slated for a Palestinian state The Palestinian Liberation Organization / Palestinian Authority (PLO/PA) accepted the existence of the state of Israel in 1988, and has stated many times they are ready to accept a Palestinian state on the 1967 lines (the “Green Line” of the 1949 Armistice agreement brokered by the United States).  

Recognition of Palestine on the 1967 border will jump-start, not negate, Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Negotiations will be needed to assure an orderly end of the occupation and to arrange thousands of issues of mutual concern including, but not limited to, land swaps, access to religious sites in the old city of Jerusalem, and water resources.  

We urge the United States to honor the democratic movement that gave rise to the Arab Spring, and support the Palestinian request for statehood in the United Nations.

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