U.S. Middle East Policy and the Peace Process: Report of an Independent Task Force Sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations

Henry Siegman

ene 1997 · Council on Foreign Relations

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The collapse of confidence between Israelis and Palestinians over the past year and the ability of opponents of peace on both sides to exploit incremental measures to their advantage have brought the Middle East peace process to a dangerous impasse. The two major principles of U.S. policy no longer work: Incrementalism, far from building confidence, now threatens to undermine it further; and an American role limited to facilitation will not enable the parties to resume successful negotiations. An independent Task Force sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations calls for a change in U.S. policy and for a bold American initiative to help Israel and the Palestinians reach agreement on the broad contours of a final settlement that can satisfy the minimal aspirations of both parties. Only the promise that these aspirations are achievable can revitalize the peace process and sustain it to a successful conclusion. While the United States cannot and should not impose a settlement on the parties, only an American willingness to offer a road map to a final settlement and to influence the parties to proceed in that direction is likely to break through the current impasse.