Prelate urges Clinton to speak out against Levy Report’s recommendations on Israeli settlements

July 16, 2012

The chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace is urging Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to “reinforce strongly the unequivocal opposition of the United States to the recommendations of the Levy Commission Report in all contacts with the government of Israel.” Clinton is visiting Israel on July 16 and 17.

“This report recommends legalization of all settlement outposts in the West Bank,” said Bishop Richard Pates of Des Moines in his July 13 letter. “Adoption of the Levy Commission Report by the Government of Israel would undermine a two-state solution to the conflict, a secure and recognized Israel living in peace alongside a viable and independent Palestinian state.”

Forty US Jewish leaders have expressed opposition to the Levy Report for similar reasons.

Bishop Pates added:

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops shares the hopes expressed by Pope Benedict XVI earlier this year: “In the Holy Land, where tensions between Palestinians and Israelis affect the stability of the entire Middle East, it is necessary that the leaders of these two peoples adopt courageous and farsighted decisions in favor of peace. … I express my hope that [negotiations] … will lead to a lasting peace which guarantees the right of the two peoples to dwell in security in sovereign states and within secure and internationally recognized borders.”

 

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Further information:

• Bishop Pates Reaffirms Need For Two-State Israeli-Palestinian Solution Ahead Of Clinton Visit (USCCB)
• Full text of letter (USCCB)
• Validate Settlements, Israeli Panel Suggests (New York Times)
• U.S. Jewish leaders express concerns over Levy report (JTA)
• Levy Report (Wikipedia)