Thank you for contacting me regarding the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue and I sincerely apologize for the delay in my response.

Last summer, fighting broke out between Hamas and Israel in what was the third major conflict between these two parties in the last six years. This resulted in the fatalities of more than 2,100 Palestinians, 71 Israelis, and one foreign worker. The effects of this ongoing violence has been devastating to all. Both sides have lost too many lives to this decades-old conflict and both deserve a better future.

The U.S. has always been firmly committed to furthering the cause of peace in the Middle East. Since the establishment of limited Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the U.S. government has pledged approximately $5 billion in bilateral assistance to the Palestinians. Successive administrations have requested aid for the Palestinian Authority to meet humanitarian needs and to foster conditions on the ground that will be conducive to the realization of a two state solution. In addition, the U.S. is the largest single donor to the United National Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

Though the international community must work together to pursue a lasting peace, ultimately the creation of a Palestinian state will only be achieved through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. Please rest assured that I will continue to monitor this situation very closely and will keep your concerns in mind as we move forward.

Again, thank you for contacting me regarding this issue. Please feel free to contact me on this or any other matter in the future.

Sincerely,

John McCain
United States Senator

JM/mc