With official representatives of Israel and Hamas indirectly negotiating a ceasefire agreement in Cairo today,
Americans for Peace Now (APN) is strongly urging the government of Israel, the Obama administration, and all
stakeholders in Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts to bring the PLO and the Palestinian Authority – the sole
legitimate representatives of the Palestinians – back into a final-status peace negotiations process.
APN's President and CEO Debra DeLee said: "It's time to pivot from war to real, credible peacemaking. Everyone
knows what such peacemaking requires, including U.S. leadership that is prepared to hold both parties accountable
for their actions. The only one viable way to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a two-state solution – Israel
and Palestine, each living in recognized borders in peace and security. The only legitimate interlocutor for
negotiating such a settlement on behalf of the Palestinians is the PLO, headed by Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, the
President of the Palestinian Authority. Furthermore, having signed a reconciliation agreement with Hamas earlier
this year, the PLO is well-positioned to negotiate on behalf of all the Palestinians, to make hard decisions around
the negotiating table, and to deliver when time comes to implement a peace agreement."
