My Message to America on the Urgency of Forging Peace in the Middle East and Creating a New Strategic Relationship with the Arab World

King Abdullah addressed the students and faculty of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University today, to urge long-term American commitment to the Middle East's development and to support the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in a way that can change the region's strategic landscape for years to come.

Remarks by His Majesty King Abdullah II

Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs

Princeton University

29 February 2008

Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim

Fifty-seven countries are not at peace with Israel today.

Fifty-seven countries out of 193 countries in the world.

Fifty-seven countries with a total population greater than Europe and the United States combined.

Fifty-seven countries, representing one third of the members of the United Nations.

Fifty-seven countries for whose citizens the conflict in Palestine is the issue of their time.

We must, therefore, ask the important question. What are the implications for global stability if this continues?

Today I assert that this must not continue and that 2008 is a critical year. Yes, at long last, this year, right now - we are in the best possible position to resolve 60 years of conflict between Israel and Palestine. The Arab and Muslim states have committed to an unprecedented and unanimous peace initiative. We have a chance to answer this third of the world who are not at peace with Israel and who demand freedom and dignity for the Palestinian people.

But time is running out and we need the United States of America completely involved, to influence the course of discussions, monitor progress, and help bridge the gaps to ensure a final agreement by the end of 2008.

It is difficult to exaggerate how great the stakes are, for Americans, for Arabs, for Israelis, and indeed for the whole world.

But I am not here today to speak only of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I am here to speak to you, the scholars of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, of the critical importance of a long-term strategic American involvement in the development of the Middle East.

I am here to explain that such a commitment is an opportunity to transform the strategic landscape of the Middle East for years to come.

I am here to speak of what must, I repeat, must happen if our world is to be safe.

I know that optimism does not come easily in academia. But I do know about the visionary thinking that is the scholar's gift. Today, I ask you to employ visionary thinking to consider a short- and long-term strategy that will ensure a viable, stable, prosperous Middle Eastern region and a safe and secure world for all.

America's involvement is a critical success factor of such a strategy. We need a strong authority that can act and act swiftly. We need to act now for time is running out. The continuing confinement of the Palestinians in Gaza everyday creates a greater radicalism amongst Palestinians and invites other actors within the region to operate on their behalf. The long period of conflict has allowed new ambitions, influences, and capabilities to appear. They are echoed in Iraq's armed sectarian division, in the attacks on Lebanese sovereignty, and in the power-projection by state and non-state actors.

There are many other serious threats.

Security, opportunities for youth, economic development, resource scarcity, chronic conflicts, institutional challenges and nuclear weapon proliferation, are just some examples of the major challenges we face. You are a prime example of some of the gifted, ambitious youth of America. We are acutely aware of the urgent needs of our own youth who make up 70 percent of my region's people. It is the largest youth cohort in our history. Like American youth, Internet communications have given them an unprecedented view of the world. In their own region they see evidence in extremist messages of hatred and isolation. They see a lack of opportunities and an uncertain future. But they also see the prosperity and freedom that countries and regions in peace can offer.

We must meet the expectations of this younger generation. In my region, we expect to need 200 million new jobs by 2020. Creating these opportunities will require investment and partnerships to develop new infrastructure, meet energy and water needs and improve public services and education. A strong cooperative Arab-American strategic partnership must be created.

But today my friends, we must contemplate.

I pose these questions for your consideration...

Will my region plunge into more chaos and violence, where extremism rules? Or will it be a peaceful, developing region?

Will it be a region focused on conflicting radical ideologies fueled by the manipulation of sectarian division? Or will it be a region reaping the benefits of globalization and strong global partnerships?

Will it be a region that rejects Western alliances, perhaps violently, because they have become far too difficult to achieve? Or will it be a region that is a global partner in progress and prosperity with the West?

The choice is ours. But we must act and time is running out. The dangerous combination of new technology, terrorism and the drastic consequences of economic underdevelopment, all continue to add to a potentially catastrophic situation on the ground.

We must act this year if we are to achieve the first important advancement towards a strong Middle Eastern region.

A year ago, before the U.S. Congress, I urged an all-out American commitment to lead the way forward. I said then what I repeat today: that the wellspring of global division, the source of resentment and frustration within the region and far beyond, is the denial of justice and peace in Palestine. The beginning of a long-term strategic partnership between the Arab world and the United States must begin with the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

America is the only world power capable of ensuring that the parties stay on track and on time in their current negotiations. And America is uniquely placed to build international support throughout the peacemaking process. Resolution of this conflict will be critical if we are to confront the other serious regional challenges

But time is running out. This year is an unprecedented opportunity to reach a comprehensive settlement between Israel and all its neighbors.

In Israel, there are those who oppose any movement toward resolution. There are politicians who do not want peace with Palestinians and who reject a two-state solution. I disagree. Israel's security cannot depend indefinitely on occupation, walls, and the Israeli military. Real security for Israel will occur when it is a neighbor among neighbors, an economy among economies, a people among people working together towards the achievement of common goals and bright futures.

In America, there are those who oppose any further involvement. There are those who say it is not America's business. I disagree. You will all know that historically, success in Middle East peacemaking was achieved when the United States stepped in and drove the negotiations.

A victory by the enemies of peace, freedom, stability and moderation cannot be an option. If we miss today's opportunities, peace will be set back, perhaps for decades. Extremists will continue to act. The forces for moderation and positive change will weaken. Global divisions will not only endure but also possibly deepen. Questioning of the West's effectiveness, and commitment, may grow. All of these will have consequences not only for my region but also for the world.

My friends,

Division and hatred have eroded understanding and agreement. They have played into the hands of the enemies of humanity - those who attacked the World Trade Center, those who would divide multi-cultural Europe, those who, right now, seek to tear my region apart.

If we fail to take the necessary steps to resolve the core problem of the region, it will become significantly harder for the countries of the Middle East to work in partnership with America in the future. I fear radical ideologies will determine the political and social agendas in many of our countries. The region will move further away from our vision of moderation, prosperity and peace. It will move further away from the common principles of mutual respect and partnership on which we want to base our relations with the United States and the West.

Every day another child in my region grows up with frustration and hatred in his or her eyes.

Every day another child grows up with aggression because that is all they have known.

Every day young people lose hope because they cannot get jobs and they cannot see opportunities.

Princeton scholars,

Speaking here today, I am especially aware of the role of scholars and students in making progress happen. Where others see unsolvable problems, you see paths that can lead to answers and successful action. This is the tradition of great scholarship of which you are a part.

Today I ask you to bring the tradition of scholarship to the challenges that lie ahead, and join me in thinking about the reality that together our countries can create:

* An end to 60 years of conflict, violence, and occupation;
* A homeland for Palestinians, offering hope, respect, and a future;
* Security and new acceptance for Israel, within its neighborhood and around the world;
* A strategic region that is able to turn to the future as peace takes hold;
* And, a new partnership between your country and the Arab and Muslim peoples, transforming the strategic landscape and creating new horizons for progress and peace.

It is an honor to be speaking to you all today, and I thank you, President Tilghman, for your warm reception.

I should like to conclude by drawing from the wisdom of the great American after whom this school was named.

Woodrow Wilson said,

"Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together. There must be, not a balance of power, but a community of power; not organized rivalries, but an organized peace."

This is the challenge, this is the opportunity, and we must succeed.

Thank you very much.

Comments

[ArabianMonkey]

Today we are enlightened people. We are connected. We are aware. We have access. We are enablers of amazing opportunities. We are fixers of challenges. We are doers of impossibilities. Everyday somewhere in the world someone does something beautiful, incredible, amazing, transforming. We are able to be better people, but some consciously chose to be savage. I'm looking at this blog and thinking never have we communicated so articulately and progressively with each other, and we can only get better at this. Our subconscious knows to do the right thing, but our material conditioning often takes over and buries the possibility of goodness.


In 1983 I got off the school bus to find my father had been shot at. He survived the 15 bullets thru his body only because he saw his shooter and threw himself on the floor of the car. Of Palestinian origin, his job was Ambassador of Jordan to Italy and my questions of why and who could never be answered convincingly. He has since passed away, but from that day to today I became extremely confused and apathetic towards politics and steered clear of any kind of political involvement in every way. But this blog post seems to have woken me up from that slumber. Initiated my His Majesty's post, but the true wake up call for me are the hundreds of comments from people I don't know and may never meet but feel so connected to. I spent last night reading every single comment before I fell asleep. And now, for the first time in 25 years the tears fall on my keyboard and I want to engage in this conversation.


I know that the rest of my life is going to be about hope, possibility, contribution, love and positive creation because I don't want to handover to the next generation a rotten deal. I look into the eyes of kids everywhere and I know who I have to be for the journey forward. They deserve a better place than this bitter world, and they are asking us to remember and deliver upon this with every breath they take.


There is so much proof that there can be a solution for everything. The Palestinian-Israeli crisis must be resolved. I don't know how. But I do know that the hatred can stop. Enough blood. Enough anger. Enough death. Enough tragedy. Enough breeding generations of hurt. Enough savage behavior. Enough hopelessness. I also know that the political conversation has failed. The language of politics has no hope because it is about the business of fear, amnesia and anesthesia.


But people are wise. People are dreamers of the good stuff. People are hard working. People are solvers of have not. People are amazing creators.


The America I've admired all my life should be asked to help with a Palestinian-Israeli resolution, but I also think the rest of the world should consider participating and contributing as well. Crowds everywhere must step up and use their wisdom. For Palestine. For Israel. For Lebanon. For Darfur. For Tibet. For Iraq. For life. In today's intertwined, real-time world, a crisis somewhere becomes everyone's problem. Blood shed across the globe affects everyone because humanity really does exist without borders - and the images, words, sounds on our screens 24/7 are reminders of that.


We cannot change the past. We cannot fix the wrongs of history. But every time the sun comes up we get a chance to have a good day. To contribute. To not repeat mistakes. To reach out. To learn. To listen. To see. Every single dawn is a possibility.

[wsb25]

Let me propose the following solution. Israeli Jews may live in isolated enclaves in Palestine. If they want to go to another enclave, they'll need to apply for a special pass. If they want water, they'll have to wait until native Palestinians fill their swimming pools... However, an alternate solution will be to wait a few years till the demographics result in a majority of Israeli citizens being non-Jewish, assuming democracy holds. Of course, democracy won't be allowed if the wrong people (e.g. Hamas) get elected...

[joja]

Your Royal Highness --

If you REALLY want peace, dump the religion angle.

[evahartselftlanguages]

TO: King Abdullah II IBN Al Hussein March 2, 2008

FOR PEACE BETWEEN NATIONS:


I cannot enter into this debate of Palestinians and Israelis because I do not know all the situations and conflicts that enter into this Israeli and Palestinians Conflict. However, I can present here how other nations in history resolved and solved their Wars among each other as follows:

Firstly, the Westphalia Treaty in 1648 after more than two years of negotiations ended theThirty Years' War. A provision in this Treaty provided that one can worship God in their own way which ended the Religious Wars among the German States. Negotiations Do Work! Having a strong leader, we would have prevented an infinity of suffering before Civil War here and in early 1920's is another. From American Heritage Foundation of Presidents and Famous Americans,'67 (Magazine of History)

Secondly, if all the cards are put on the table in truth for both sides of a War (Not all security matters of course). I have heard untruths about all Religions here in America and abroad against Arab Muslims. The truth is that America whom I must always protect is a kind,fair and decent nation that if we are Appealed to for Grievances will gladly and compassionately try to heal the wounds and bring comfort . Thus, we have always done this ,and if you feel that your grievances are ignored then if you do not give up you can find a good American Statesman who will try to solve your grievances and complaints. Consequently, when America was attacked so terribly in 9/11 NY we were not given a chance to listen to a nation's Grievance and were not given a chance to try to resolve them. Had you come to me I would have tried to resolve a nation's wrongful suspicion against America,but you gave us Americans no chance. Revenge is never a satisfying prospect for it can never solve the grievance, but make it worse. America changed it,inspired it, and committed it to the Great Principle of Liberty a Soaring Affirmation of Liberty for all.

Thirdly, as a fair thinking American I present the truth that the Three Great Religions of the World Christianity,Jewish, and Muslim are alike in many ways religiously. In the Islamic code it states,"They are against murder,against cruelties of slaves,orphans,widows,against idolatry,alcohol and paintings of men,animals, and plants." It's sad but no one mentions the truth of another's religion on radio,TV. We were attacked by rare fanatical,radical Muslims, but Islam is a Peaceful Religion. There is good and bad fanaticism in all Religions according to History. From The New Popular History of the World ,"63 with foreward by Lowell Thomas, famous journalist. Editorial Advisers from universities Harvard,Yale,John Hopkins, Columbia, Duke universities. We all want the same thing at heart a good home,a good life,a good job, and good Peace Between Nations. At heart we all want The Golden Waters to Flow for Life for All and The Good Lord of All Religions wants to give them to us all.

Fourthly, one more thing though. In studying an English Grammar and Composition book I read a para ex. article of Jolo Island which accepted fanatical Mohammedanism it says. A strange fact I read though and very sad that on Jolo Island in Philippines they have customs of not buying a car because Christians introduced them or harming Christians a custom practiced without even knowing that Christians are beautiful people following the beautiful principles of Christ. In this English book it states,"To generalize about all people is so unfair and unjustifiably wrong and in error. We can only speak of maybe SOME people are this or that, but never say All. This would not be the truth of what a religious group or peoples is really like as a peoples.

Eva Hart A Christian In Army 62-70 670 Eddy St. Sfc 94109 Rec job Sec of Defense 64

[NatteringNabobs]

Your Majesty,

Its is simple. Our goal should be peace and to bring about it we must stop the oppression of one people over another.

The fight over this land is a losing proposition for all. There must be a rational solution at some point. The wold hangs in the balance.

Thank you for your insight and wisdom.

[jimmyaj]

"...right now - we are in the best possible position to resolve 60 years of conflict between Israel and Palestine."

But don't look to the Bush administration for leadership on this thing...

[AndriaSmith]

Dear Your Majest King Abdullah, Ruler of Jordan;

Thank you for your beautiful words. They are so important. I believe in many ways we are very fortunate to be alive just to discuss negotiations. Perhaps the science of survival is as you say "negotiations". I thank you for your faith in The Untied States, and I believe we care very much about holding onto peace talks whereby we stop the isolation war has placed upon the world, especially those who cannot voice their opinions on this continued threat for global unity, and bring about progress in what seems to be an ineffective challenge of intolerance and stubborn obstacles. The struggles that seem to keep reappearing from this Israeli - Palestinian conflict seems to be a multiplicity of labours burdening our international soldiers, and no one seems to take that into account until it is too late. Regardless to many the series of deaths to solve this problem, it seems the only result is more battle ahead, and less interval between the issues that seem to be the cause of this hollow conflict. I ask myself what happened years before to maintain at least a sense of calmness between these two restricted groups? I say restricted because 1/3 of the countries in the world as you have pointed out want nothing with this war. If one were to suggest limiting the production of war, would this limit the war itself? Also, if there's no one to fight, where is the fight? Where does it go? Does it disappear? Does it exist just to exist between their own soldiers? Now that would be something. I think a departure from inside the trenches so to speak is in order. I would suggest telling the soldiers to go home, we are solving this diplomatically. Rule with not any other condition. There is so much more to a spectacular development for the future than to kill the dreams from the discouragement of people who cannot come to an agreement with some kind of fairness at the international negotiating table. Not one hostile thought marching in should separate this attempt for peace. We have allowed ourselves as Americans to witness these instinctive reactions to hostility for too long. When does the world grow up and understand that you cannot solve anything with violence? There's always another way. I am sure the range of counter ideas against violence has been restricted, and you as King of Jordan have one of the most magnificent voices for world peace.

We are ready for a new world order Your Excellency King Abdullah. I hope you continue to help lead the way in the recovery of this monotonous conflict in the middle east. It seems more of an obsession of irresistible force from a past miscommunication from people who do know which way up is. Like an old story you have to hear over and over again until it becomes so familiar you are bored beyond belief. Well, we are not interested in pretending we are interested anymore. We need action to stop this aggression and hold together a result better than battle, and better than war. A result that would bring a sense of light into a new world of understanding. A consideration for peace, and a new hope for a better life, a better world for us all to live in and be happy. The results from war are too hard to understand from the hearts and innocent minds of children who do not understand why their parents won't be returning from their military jobs. We are better as people than this. We can slow down the clock with a collective agreement to agree there is another way. With this new way the world leaders will become encouraged again to respect the lives of people and the human rights we are born with the day the clock started ticking. This conflict is a ceaseless confrontation without a privelege or a purpose, except old ideas that simply don't work in this present time. Why must we then exploit the courage of others for wars that are motivated by fear? America has a moral attitude like yours to help lead all nations in a new direction of world peace. Thank you for your belief in us. We believe in you and the Arab world. You are our friend, will always be, and we know that together we can determine together a collective wish for victory, where all people can decide on material things, such as land, above the need to fight to the death for its achievement. Thank you.

[AndriaSmith]

Dear Your Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan,

I wanted to say something else if you don't mind,...Ethics - the focus on rules and how these rules work within the social reform of this worry in the Middle East -can draw a meaning for truce. A lot of these posters are trying to teach the counterpoint of what your peace goal is. As if ( in my opinion) they want everyone to jump on their merry go round of misinformation. Some of them sound so convincing, a person can easily become confused just by the way they modify a certain impression of things. I know you are smarter than this play on words. I hope you contact Hillary Clinton the day she is sworn in, or before to discuss further your intentions of peace among all nations, especially those who seem to still be in a conflict from wars, past and present. Thank you.

[AMERIKA]

Arab states should unilaterally declare Peace with Israel, guarantee its security, and work hard to dismantle the Hezbolah and Hamas claims to the contrary. With that commitment in place, in real time, in action, Israel, no longer threatened will be able to resolve the Palestinian conflict with a two state solution in fact. Until the Arabs take the initiative of Peace, nothing will occur. Unfortunately, the Arab world enjoys the Palestinian conflict to hide the suppression and economic slavery of their own people.

[pmag88]

Here in the US we like to say we"re a Christian nation, yet in truth that is quite impossible. If our constitution decreed that we were exclusively a Christian nation or that we were a Hispanic, or Jewish, or whatever nation, we would cease to be a functioning democracy.

Democracy is what we hold most sacred in the US, but that doesn"t mean that we should expect other nations to use the same model. Ultimately it"s about justice and fairness and if other people use a different path to get there we should be supportive. We need to stop trying to force change and start nurturing it.

[Necron99]

That sounds like a really great country. I'd like to live there. What's it called again?

[resonate]

The democracy we have in the United States is only so by name but the potential for change is always evident in the United States because of our diversity, desire and key human virtues mixed with a tad of freedom. We can see though as we have been heading down the wrong path with the most recent administration our own freedoms which allow us to reason through global issues without violence, have been slowly robbed. Blinded by fear, poverty, lack of education, prison, stagnation, or complete materialistic consumption the people have been deprived of the tools needed to grab the rains of their supposed representative government and head down the path of cooperation not war to a better quality of life. Religious ideology, seasonings of fascism and police state fear mongering will eventually provoke a reaction from the people but who knows how much longer the American people can take it. Across all cultures treating others as you wish to be treated is a virtue in one way or another. Our nations death and destruction agenda will eventually also provoke a response so long as we continue with it. Also consider our recent conquests in South America. We are tipping the scales out of our favor quickly.

[TheJibreelaMonsters]

Your Majesty

Most these clowns in here dose not have a hill of beans of knowledge to issues of the Middle East. Place a map in front of them and they can find a starbucks with wi-fi faster than the nation of Sudan. These people are what I call "arm chair Middle Eastern experts. I hate to say this however most Americans still think most of our oil comes from your land. We got another saying also, "Ignorance is bliss."

[Eduardodelazul411]

Judging from your post history, you are among those who are misguided regarding the Middle East.

[escobar]

Too bad, but the American public has no more control over the foreign policies of their country than the King's subjects have over him.

[newshawk14]

I've long felt that King Abdullah and his father before him, were among the most rational and
balanced voices in the middle east, that we would have done well to have listened to. I
think we are stuck, however, til the current clown in the White House is no longer in power.

[nunzia]

I have no interest in what some "king" has to say.

[larry278]

So-don't read his blog or comment on HRH's speech/blog. You're wasting HP's space.

[JimReed]

King Abdullah,
I appreciate your concerns and thank you for expressing them, but there are some who have different priorities. As a forward thinking Christian nation, we can see a day when Israel expands to the ancient borders of Bible days. From a global perspective this is not really all that much land, and it is of great importance to religion because it is a part of the fulfillment of all. We abhore war, but we know the history of the world is a history of war, and war is sometimes unavoidable. We must recognize forces that are greater than ourselves. We know that in the end your people and our people and the people of Isreal and all the peoples of the earth will be friends. You can join us in looking forward to that time. A generation ago we reestablished the nation of Israel in its ancient homeland for a purpose, a purpose greater than ourselves. Peace, and may we all come to know God's will.

[pattio66]

Foward-thinking Christian nation? What? Funny, I don't recall that from civics class...here I thought all US citizens had a guarantee of freedom of - and interpreted as - freedom FROM religion. "Forward-thinking Christian" is every bit as much of an oxymoron as "military intelligence." Christianity is responsible for some of the most heinous crimes against humanity ever known. Don't try to tell me I don't know anything about it - I'm a preacher's kid and know more about the Bible and its fallacies than you will ever be able to comprehend with your "faith" that blinds you to reality. Don't kid yourself into believing that Israel was established to give Jews their long-sought homeland. The UN, with US backing, established Israel to make sure the surviving Jews of Europe had somewhere to go because WE DIDN'T WANT THEM HERE!! Now THAT'S Christianity in action!

[JimReed]

It would have been my choice to have them here. We could have given them a part of the continental US and they would have had a totally safe and protected border, as we enjoy.

We did what we did, and it divides the world and this nation. That is the message to the king. He can talk to the people of the United States if he wants, but it would be good for him to keep in mind we are divided. One part of America doesn't speak for all. It would be good for Israel to also keep this in mind when they deal with us. Part of this nation acts in their own self interests, and part acts in the interest that they are learning in church.

[DanielAlec]

Pattio66,
You are correct to question our status as a Christian nation. Where in the Bible does it say the following: republic, democracy, separation of powers (executive, legislative, and judicial ), ect. Our government signed the "Treaty of Tripoli" back in 1797 and it specifically said in it that we are not a Christian nation. Oh by the way, the voting was a unanimous one.

[DanielAlec]

We are a Christian nation? True, Christianity is in our culture, but we are not a Christian nation. Where in the Bible does it talk about democracy? Where does it talk about freedom, a president, the separation of powers (executive, legislative, and judicial branches), ect. Just read the "Treaty of Tripoli" signed 8 years after the U.S. Constitution in which our government unanimously voted and said that we are not a Christian nation. The Constitution does not have the following words: Jesus, Christian, Christianity, Bible, or any other reference to a Christian nation. Thank you King Abdullah for your insight and vision for peace.

[JimReed]

Being a Christian nation is not a matter of the constitution or the Bible. It is a matter of what we do. We supported and actually caused the creation or recreation of Israel in the middle east. I believe the primary reason was because of our understanding of the Bible. I have often heard the prophecy that this generation shall not pass. That is my generation. We are getting old, but we have not yet passed.

[nolabels]

Let's not take geography lessons from the bible. Wasn't the world thought to be flat when the bible was written?

[JimReed]

This is not a georaphy lesson as much as a political lesson. If King Abdullah wants to talk to America, he needs to understand us. American political forces are driven to some extent by the value of mideast oil to the world economy, but they are also often being driven by our understanding of the Bible. This is important to many Americans, and that is expressed in our votes. This is in no way putting the king down, but if he wants to deal with Americans it has to be on our terms because we hold the ultimate power.

[Steamboater]

"Arab and Muslim states have committed to an unprecedented and unanimous peace initiative ... "
Who the hell does the king think is giving Hamas rockets and other weapons to launch into Israel? Is Syria one of the king's commited states to peace, or Saudi Arabia which shows a peaceful face yet who's desert dictatorship is rife with undercutting any peaceful initiitatives by giving money to Hamas and other terrorist groups? The fact is, unless kings and dictators are done away with and a real democracy is put in place, there will always be conflict with Israel and among Arabs themselves. That won't happen though. We have to be careful what we wish for. Replacing these dictators will only result in the dictatorship of a theocracy.

[ntmessage]

Your Majesty,

I honor your leadership, along with President Clinton, Minister Yitzhak Rabin, and President Weizman achieving what was thought to be not only undoable but also unthinkable. Peace between Israel and Jordan. For many in America peace in the Middle East is perhaps looked upon in a similar manner today.

We have witnessed the two recent leaders Ariel Sharon and Yasser Arafat who literally fight to the death with no progress toward peace. Fighting year"s old struggles, reasons lost upon today"s youth who only act in retaliation to violence affecting their lives everyday.

You have stood up for peace and reconciliation at great risk and loss to yourself and family. I believe your father would be extremely proud of how you have handled his legacy.

And yes, the time to act is now. America alone can facilitate and provide the leadership necessary for a fair and just outcome. There will be a myriad of excuses, others purposely initiating terrorist acts for the singular reason of delegitimizing any progress toward peace. Other powerful and influential forces even in America and all over the world will sabotage or attempt to block progress at every stage with any and every means available.

Peace in the Middle East is the most worthwhile endeavor and challenge existing in the world today.