Christians for Fair Witness on the Middle East Congratulates President Mahmoud Abbas on Being Awarded "Non-Member Observer State" Status at the U.N. and Urges Israelis and Palestinians to Resume Peace Talks Immediately

NEW YORK, Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Christians for Fair Witness on the Middle East ("Fair Witness") congratulates the Palestinian people after President Abbas' successful bid for "non-member observer state" status at the U.N. and now strongly urges both Israel and Palestine to take deliberate steps towards a negotiated two-state solution.

"Ultimately there is no substitute for negotiations," says Rev. Thomas Prinz, Pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Leesburg, Virginia and Fair Witness Executive Committee Member. "Recognition of Palestine as a non-member observer state at the U.N.  is a serious and welcomed step forward but there will be no end to this conflict until the parties come together and negotiate a final status agreement.  It is not helpful that President Abbas keeps raising new conditions for going back to the negotiating table, nor is it helpful that Prime Minister Netanyahu shows no flexibility on meeting those conditions and continues with settlement building."

For the sake of peace, both parties must stop posturing and begin negotiating.  Netanyahu must do what his predecessors Barak and Olmert did in 2000 and 2008, respectively, and agree to vacate those settlements that would interfere with Palestinian territorial contiguity.  Likewise the Palestinians must finally agree to give up the demand for a "Right of Return" which is not compatible with a two-state solution.

"In the meantime we are praying that both President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu are able to summon the courage and statesmanship required to make the bold moves that will lead to lasting peace," Pastor Prinz adds. 

SOURCE Christians for Fair Witness on the Middle East