Last year�s war in Gaza and the conflict in 2007 between Israel and Lebanon underscored, once again, the urgent need for a peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.  Senator Leahy knows that Israel faces grave challenges from its neighbors in the Middle East, particularly Iran, and the United States has been, and will continue to be, a strong supporter and ally of Israel.  Senator Leahy has always strongly supported Israel�s right to self-defense and condemned Hamas� indiscriminate rocket attacks.  However, he also disagrees with the economic blockade of Gaza as it amounts to collective punishment, with Israel�s use of excessive force in Gaza which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians, and the continuation of settlement construction in the West Bank.  Like President Obama, Senator Leahy believes that the dire situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable and contributes to Israel�s insecurity.  He has long maintained that the Palestinians� fundamental rights must be respected and that they need a state of their own. 

In President Obama�s recent Cairo speech, he challenged both the Israeli and Palestinian leadership to demonstrate the vision and flexibility necessary to move beyond the violence and recriminations that have stalled any meaningful progress for years.  Senator Leahy has met with the President and Special Envoy George Mitchell on the Middle East peace process and continues to believe that a solution can be achieved that respects the sovereignty of both peoples within a two-state solution.