Bond Meets with Local Jewish Leaders on Middle East Peace

Press Release

Bond Meets with Local Jewish Leaders on Middle East Peace

U.S. Senator Kit Bond today joined local Jewish leaders in St. Louis to talk about the current situation in the Middle East. Bond addressed the need for international support of Israel's right to defend itself, and hope for peace through a two-state solution and Smart Power initiatives.

"Israel's people are frequently victims of unprovoked attacks, targeted at innocent civilians. Israel stands on the front lines in the global war against radical Islam," said Bond. "At the same time, Israel is a shining - and lonely - example in the Middle East of the democratic values and principles that Americans share."

Bond told the group that every American should be concerned about peace and stability in the Middle East - after all, the security and safety of the United States and Israel is directly tied to what occurs in this region. For 60 years, Israel has sought peace and has been willing to enter into negotiations with other countries over territories. Bond pointed to the 1979 Camp David Accords which resulted in Israel turning control of the Sinai desert over to Egypt and 30 years of peace with the largest Arab country in the region. Bond stressed that the Camp David Accords showed that when stakeholders in the region like Egypt are truly committed to peace, peace can be achieved.

Unfortunately, Israel's peace offerings are not always returned. Israel offered another olive branch to the Arab world when it left Gaza in August of 2005 but has been met with continued rocket attacks. Since 2005 Hamas has fired 6,300 rockets at Israeli civilians from Gaza, killing and wounding innocent civilians. Bond stressed that the attacks on Israel by Hamas have demonstrated their true commitment is to violence, not peace. Bond also criticized Hamas for deliberately locating its security forces in residential neighborhoods, further evidence that Hamas is all too willing to sacrifice its civilians.

Bond, a long time friend to Israel, told the local Jewish leaders that he has urged President Obama and the new Democratic-led Congress to continue America's traditional strong support for Israel. The Senator also pledged that he will use his position as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee to continue to fight for policies that strengthen our intelligence community and intelligence cooperation with Israel.

"Even with the change in Administration, America must continue to support the right of Israel to defend itself and protect its borders against extremists in the region," said Bond. "America and the international community must also be committed to securing a just and peaceable agreement between Israel and Palestine through a two-state solution."

In addition to a strong commitment to Israel and the need for a two-state solution, Bond emphasized the need for "Smart Power" - non-military, diplomatic initiatives - that are critical to promoting peace. Bond told the Jewish leaders that one of St. Louis' own - Avi Goldstein - is promoting peace through one of these initiatives. His organization - Peace it Together - teaches teenagers how to shoot films and documentaries, harnessing teenagers' favorite mediums to promote peace dialogue. Bond also point ed to other successful Smart Power initiatives, like the USAID clean sewer and water infrastructure projects in both Israel and Palestinian communities, and the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, which predominantly serves pregnant Palestinian mothers and babies. This use of Smart power may be one of the most effective ways of achieving peace, and in the process, enhancing our own security here in the U.S., stressed Bond.

While in Israel, Bond met with Israeli government, defense, and intelligence officials to discuss ways to strengthen the security, economic and academic cooperation between Missouri and Israel. There are a number of areas of partnership between our two nations, including biotechnology, aerospace and defense. Bond praised the Jewish Community Relations Council and Missouri Biotechnology Association for their work in this critical

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