November 27, 2007 President Mahmoud Abbas Palestinian National Authority Ramallah, Palestine Dear President Abbas, As you convene the Middle East peace conference this week in Annapolis, Maryland to take the next critical steps towards a two-state solution between the Palestinians and Israelis, Seeds of Peace – and its nearly 4,000 graduates – stand ready to lend our support and assistance to any initiative that seeks security through peace based on trust. We hope your discussions of a lasting peace will involve an effort to empower young people living inside the conflict to become leaders of the next generation by giving them the tools so critical to making and sustaining peaceful coexistence. At Seeds of Peace, we know that building trust between sides of a conflict is the first, and often most critical, step towards reaching agreement. We have seen it work for the past 15 years, since our founding in 1993. The friendships and connections between our Arab and Israeli “Seeds” are living, breathing testaments to the possibility of a two-state solution, with Palestinians and Israelis living side-by-side. For example, last month more than 100 Palestinian and Israeli “Seeds” came together in a community in Israel dedicated to Arab-Israeli coexistence to look ahead to the Annapolis peace conference. Like you, these young leaders sought common ground on the key issues that must be resolved if they are ever to live together in peace: borders, Jerusalem, refugees, security. Like you, they did not agree on every issue nor were they able to forge compromises that satisfied every member of their communities. Like them, you are striving to hear the concerns of the other side, find creative solutions, and resolve not to give in to cynicism and despair. Each and every person deserves the opportunity to live in peace and security, with independence and dignity. This generation of Israelis and Palestinians may be the last for whom the vision of two states living side-by-side in peace and security will appear feasible and desirable. Seeds of Peace supports your efforts to ensure that this vision becomes reality. Sincerely,
Richard Berman Chairman, Board of Directors Seeds of Peace cc: U.S Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
November 27, 2007
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert The Knesset Israel Dear Prime Minister Olmert, As you convene the Middle East peace conference this week in Annapolis, Maryland to take the next critical steps towards a two-state solution between the Palestinians and Israelis, Seeds of Peace – and its nearly 4,000 graduates – stand ready to lend our support and assistance to any initiative that seeks security through peace based on trust. We hope your discussions of a lasting peace will involve an effort to empower young people living inside the conflict to become leaders of the next generation by giving them the tools so critical to making and sustaining peaceful coexistence. At Seeds of Peace, we know that building trust between sides of a conflict is the first, and often most critical, step towards reaching agreement. We have seen it work for the past 15 years, since our founding in 1993. The friendships and connections between our Arab and Israeli “Seeds” are living, breathing testaments to the possibility of a two-state solution, with Palestinians and Israelis living side-by-side. For example, last month more than 100 Palestinian and Israeli “Seeds” came together in a community in Israel dedicated to Arab-Israeli coexistence to look ahead to the Annapolis peace conference. Like you, these young leaders sought common ground on the key issues that must be resolved if they are ever to live together in peace: borders, Jerusalem, refugees, security. Like you, they did not agree on every issue nor were they able to forge compromises that satisfied every member of their communities. Like them, you are striving to hear the concerns of the other side, find creative solutions, and resolve not to give in to cynicism and despair. Each and every person deserves the opportunity to live in peace and security, with independence and dignity. This generation of Israelis and Palestinians may be the last for whom the vision of two states living side-by-side in peace and security will appear feasible and desirable. Seeds of Peace supports your efforts to ensure that this vision becomes reality. Sincerely,
Richard Berman Chairman, Board of Directors Seeds of Peace cc: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas; U.S Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
November 27, 2007 Ms. Condoleezza Rice Secretary of State U.S. Department of State Washington, D.C. Dear Secretary Rice, As you convene the Middle East peace conference this week in Annapolis, Maryland to take the next critical steps towards a two-state solution between the Palestinians and Israelis, Seeds of Peace – and its nearly 4,000 graduates – stand ready to lend our support and assistance to any initiative that seeks security through peace based on trust. We hope your discussions of a lasting peace will involve an effort to empower young people living inside the conflict to become leaders of the next generation by giving them the tools so critical to making and sustaining peaceful coexistence. At Seeds of Peace, we know that building trust between sides of a conflict is the first, and often most critical, step towards reaching agreement. We have seen it work for the past 15 years, since our founding in 1993. The friendships and connections between our Arab and Israeli “Seeds” are living, breathing testaments to the possibility of a two-state solution, with Palestinians and Israelis living side-by-side. For example, last month more than 100 Palestinian and Israeli “Seeds” came together in a community in Israel dedicated to Arab-Israeli coexistence to look ahead to the Annapolis peace conference. Like you, these young leaders sought common ground on the key issues that must be resolved if they are ever to live together in peace: borders, Jerusalem, refugees, security. Like you, they did not agree on every issue nor were they able to forge compromises that satisfied every member of their communities. Like them, you are striving to hear the concerns of the other side, find creative solutions, and resolve not to give in to cynicism and despair. Each and every person deserves the opportunity to live in peace and security, with independence and dignity. This generation of Israelis and Palestinians may be the last for whom the vision of two states living side-by-side in peace and security will appear feasible and desirable. Seeds of Peace supports your efforts to ensure that this vision becomes reality. Sincerely,
Richard Berman Chairman, Board of Directors Seeds of Peace cc: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas; Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert