A bipartisan group comprising 71 U.S. senators is urging President Barack Obama to lean on Arab states to normalize relations with Israel.
In a letter addressed to Obama on Monday, the senators praised Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for lobbying the Arab states to take steps toward supporting the Palestinian Authority, though more was needed to advance peace.
"Over the past few months Israel has taken concrete measures to reaffirm its commitment to advancing the peace process," the senators wrote. "Notably, Prime Minister Netanyahu has publicly expressed support for the two-state solution and called for the immediate resumption of peace negotiations."
"We have also been encouraged by Israeli efforts to improve the daily lives of Palestinians, through measures such as removing roadblocks, assisting with economic development in the West Bank, and supporting the training of professional Palestinian Authority security personnel," the senators wrote. "These actions have demonstrated that Israel is willing to back up its words with concrete actions, even in the face of continuing threats to its security."
"We encourage Arab leaders to take similar tangible steps to demonstrate their commitment to the peace process," the senators wrote. "Such steps could include ending the Arab League boycott of Israel, meeting openly with Israeli officials, establishing open trade relations with Israel, issuing visas to Israeli citizens, and inviting Israelis to participate in academic and professional conferences and sporting events."
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