Praying for the peace of Jerusalem as fresh talks start
By ACNS staff
[Anglican Communion News Service] Fresh talks aimed at reaching a permanent peace agreement in the Holy Land have begun under the sponsorship of the United States government. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry convened talks in Washington, D.C., this week between Dr. Saeb Erekat of the Palestinian Authority and Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni. Those talks paved the way for an agreement on talks on a permanent agreement.
“I know the path is difficult. There is no shortage of passionate skeptics. But with capable, respected negotiators, like Minister Tzipi Livni and Dr. Saeb Erekat, standing side by side here today . . . with their efforts, their expertise, and their commitment, I’m convinced that we can get there,” Kerry said.
“The Israeli people and the Palestinian people both have leaders willing to heed the call of history, leaders who will stand strong in the face of criticism and are right now for what they know is in their people’s best interests,” he said. “Their commitment to make tough choices, frankly, should give all of us hope that these negotiations actually have a chance to accomplish something.”
Welcoming the talks, Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem Suheil Dawani told ACNS: “For our area, for the Middle East as a whole, it is important that there is now a serious start to the peace talks between Israel and Palestine, which have been on hold for several years.
Read more at http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/08/01/praying-for-the-peace-of-jerusalem-as-fresh-talks-start/