We –Jewish Americans and Arab Americans (both Muslim and Christian) - commit to doing all within our power to promote peace, justice, and the prospects of a better life for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. We accordingly establish this Committee in the firm belief that many Arab, Jewish, and other Americans share this commitment and seek a platform from which to be heard.

Recognizing the profound and continuing losses suffered by both peoples over the millennia - a tragic history pervaded by recurring expropriation, exile, and death - yet cognizant of the peaceful and fruitful coexistence between Arabs and Jews during many centuries in many countries - we believe that an abundant and life-affirming future will follow the resolution of current conflict through creative compromise and the rebirth of mutual respect.

We believe that the elements essential for progress out of the current impasse are:

: A firm, long-term international commitment, with substantial American participation
1. To interpose a peacekeeping mission between the conflicting parties
2. To minimize and suppress violence by either party, even-handedly
3. To create an environment for de-escalation and for the resumption of negotiation

: Full and explicit recognition by both peoples of each other’s right to live permanently within their respective states, each of whose boundaries will be based on the pre-1967 borders, with equitable adjustments to be negotiated by the parties directly, or through international mediation acceptable to both sides.

: Establishment of a viable democratic Palestinian state, alongside the State of Israel, with both states guaranteed and guaranteeing secure, defensible, and permanent borders free from threats and acts of force.

: A just resolution of the Palestinian refugee problem that takes into account the needs and aspirations of both peoples.

: Settlement of all legitimate claims by Jews and Arabs displaced by decades of conflict, according to international law.

: Jerusalem shared as the political capital of both states.

: Free and open access for all people to all religious sites throughout the region
1. Agreed by all peoples of the region
2. Enforced by a joint Arab-Jewish police force
3. Guaranteed by the international peace-keeping mission

: Establishment of legal structures and processes for dispute resolution
1. Acceptable to both peoples
2. Guaranteed by the international community
3. Concurrent with the renunciation by both peoples of the use of force to settledisagreements

: Following the establishment of a durable peace, American, international and regional commitment to preservation of peace through the provision of major resources for:
1. Reparation
2. Rebuilding
3. Economic development of the entire region

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Signed February 26, 2003:

Facilitator: L. Michael Hager, Executive Director, Conflict Management Group
Secretariat: Naseem Khuri, Program Assistant, Conflict Management Group