Resolution Adopted by the CCAR
PEACE PROCESS
Adopted by the 109th Annual Convention of the
Central Conference of American Rabbis
June, 1998
Background
The Central Conference of American Rabbis has actively supported and encouraged political steps that would lead to mediating differences between Israel and her Arab neighbors. In recent years, the Oslo Agreements have raised our expectations that the region might be blessed with reasonable compromises that would benefit all parties.
The current political climate has encouraged delays and postponements which have allowed the momentum of the peace process to falter. The price of delay has already taken an economic toll and may prove far more costly in terms of Israel’s strategic military security.
This conference has actively supported and encouraged political steps that would lead to mediating differences between Israel and her Arab neighbors. In recent years, the Oslo Agreements have raised our expectations that the region might be blessed with reasonable compromises that would benefit all parties.
The current political climate has encouraged delays and postponements which have allowed the momentum of the peace process to falter. The price of delay has already taken an economic toll and may prove far more costly in terms of Israel’s strategic military security.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The Central Conference of American Rabbis commend the government of the United States for its patient support of the peace process and urge the President to press forward in this delicate undertaking in order to help Israel conclude agreements that can benefit all, by securing regional political cooperation, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, recognizing the Jewish tradition which praises those who “seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 35:15) we take this opportunity to applaud the courage of the governments of Egypt and Jordan who have been willing to take the necessary risks to move forward in the peace process of achieving regional cooperation by recognizing the sovereignty of the State of Israel and by entering into agreements with Israel that lead to political stability, and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the Government of Israel and the leaders of the Palestinian Authority to adhere to the principles of Oslo I and II which were established as a guide to establish regional harmony, and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, we urge the leaders of the State of Israel and the leaders of the Palestinian Authority alike to make those politically difficult decisions that will mediate conflicts and resolve differences so that peace can be established as a reality throughout the land.
Whereas our tradition teaches: “Seek peace in your own place and pursue it in others” (Yerushalmi, Peah 1) we raise our voices in support of this cause so that peace might triumph over conflict.