Rejecting violence as a tool to solve grievances is the sina qua non of the peace process, and as Israel’s peace partner, it is the obligation of the Palestinian Authority (PA) to make a 100% effort to stop violence and terror in and emanating from the areas under its control. Violence and terror will not bring the Palestinians any closer to statehood and will only guarantee tragic consequences for the Palestinian people.

Israel has an obligation to protect its citizens by fighting terror. This requires a strong security posture coupled with determined efforts to achieve a negotiated peace. Former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin once said that Israel must “pursue the peace process as if there is no terrorism, and fight terrorism as if there is no peace process.” Former Mossad Director Danny Yatom wrote in November 2006, “the time has come to internalize the basic truth: there is no way to defeat terror through military means only. Terrorism will be defeated when we utilize diplomatic moves alongside uncompromising war, and time is not playing in Israel's favor…” These words remain true today.

Israel also has a responsibility to stop violence committed by Israeli extremists. Settler lawlessness – including desecration of religious sites and violence against Palestinian civilians, Israeli police, soldiers and peace activists – must not be tolerated. This is nothing less than terrorism aimed at destroying any chance for peace and challenging the sovereignty of the state of Israel. It is incumbent upon Israel to enforce the rule of law on its citizens and to pursue, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of such acts, just as Israel would pursue, arrest, and prosecute Palestinian perpetrators of analogous crimes.

Fighting terror is critical, but in the absence of credible efforts to achieve peace, the void will be filled by the kind of violence and instability – perpetrated by both Palestinians and Israelis – that now plagues Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip. Tangible progress toward peace is necessary to extinguish the fires of hatred and violence and deny extremists the ability to re-kindle them in the future.

APN believes the US should support and provide funding, where appropriate, for serious efforts to stop violence – including efforts to achieve and maintain ceasefires, build Palestinian security capacity, and promote security cooperation. APN also believes the US should support and encourage efforts to achieve Palestinian national reconciliation, recognizing that a unified Palestinian government, capable of imposing its will on all Palestinians, is a key to security and stability. Finally, APN believes that just as Palestinian authorities have a responsibility to make a 100% effort to stop Palestinian violence, Israel must make a 100% effort to prevent and prosecute violence and other illegal activities by undertaken by Israeli extremists.