Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) today introduced a resolution applauding the efforts of Israelis and Palestinians working privately toward Middle East peace and urging President Bush and Israeli and Palestinian leaders to embrace these efforts.

Private efforts toward peace culminated in the Geneva Accord, a detailed and comprehensive peace plan negotiated earlier this year by Israeli and Palestinian citizens including former Israeli Justice Minister Yossi Beilin and former Palestinian Information Minister Yasir Abed Rabbo.

"It is clear to me that the current stalemate between the Israelis and the Palestinians only increases the hatred, the bombings, drives despair, and pushes people to more violence," Senator Feinstein said. "Initiatives like the Geneva Accord can breath new life into the peace process and form the basis for a fair and lasting peace. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution."

The resolution is being introduced in the House by Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.)

Specifically, the resolution:

• Applauds the courage and vision of Israelis and Palestinians who are working together to conceive pragmatic, serious plans for achieving peace;
  
• Calls on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to capitalize on the opportunity offered by these peace initiatives; and
  
• Urges the President of the United States to encourage and embrace all serious efforts to move away from violent military stalemate toward achieving Israeli-Palestinian peace.

"Over the past several months, I have become increasingly concerned that the chances of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East are becoming more remote and another generation of Israelis and Palestinians may be condemned to a life of conflict and devastation," Senator Feinstein said. "It is critical that President Bush and Israeli and Palestinian leaders not let this happen. This is why I believe that every effort to achieve a peace agreement between Israelis and the Palestinians should be encouraged."

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