Signs the U.S. is Up to the Task

All of us at Israel Policy Forum are saddened by the report of a terror attack in Jerusalem today in which a bulldozer was once again used as a weapon.  We are even further disheartened by a conflagration of violence in the Gaza Strip with Kassam rocket fire returning to southern Israel.

Simply put, Israeli citizens cannot continue to live in fear of terror attacks and Palestinians cannot have their future hijacked by extremists unconcerned about their welfare and future as a viable nation-state.

These attacks further underscore the already enormous challenges that are confronting the two-state solution today.  They also underscore its urgency.

That is why all of us at IPF are heartened by Secretary Clinton's visit to the region this week, specifically her clear - and repeated - articulation of the United States' determination to achieve a two-state solution.

Secretary Clinton understands that a two state solution is an American interest. It is the only viable way to achieve a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that can ensure Israel's security and future as a Jewish, democratic state.

Some think the window for a two-state solution has passed, and question if it ever existed. Others are calling for the United States to simply just give up, which is a great plan if you like things just the way they are.

Fortunately for all - Israel, the Palestinians, the U.S. and the international community - the U.S. is not planning to sit back, stay at home, keep its mouth shut, cross its fingers, and just hope the whole Arab-Israeli conflict works itself out for the better.

In fact, Secretary Clinton's visit to the region continued the new welcome trend of the United States showing it is serious about creating a new dynamic in the Mideast.  To recap, in less than two months, the Obama administration has:

• Appointed George Mitchell, a proven mediator with the respect of both sides, as special envoy, and he has already been to the region twice.

• Sent Hillary Clinton, an inspired choice for Secretary of State, to the region and pledged $900 million in assistance for the Palestinian Authority and for reconstruction in Gaza.

• Announced that two senior officials will travel to Syria to renew talks, that if, successful could change the dynamic in the region.

• Spoken clearly about the need to engage Iran without illusions and with "eyes wide open" in an effort to curb their nuclear weapons program.

We are still in the early days of the Obama administration. In fact, we are only half-way through its first 100 days.  And, there are numerous questions that remain:  What will be the relationship between the Obama administration and the Netanyahu government? Can terrorism be stopped and a sustainable cease-fire reached?  Will Hamas-Fatah establish a unity government? Will settlement expansion render a two-state solution impossible? Will the violence of Hamas and other terror groups?  Is a Syrian-Israeli deal possible? The list goes on and on.

If the Obama administration is truly serious about tackling these issues, it has its work cut out for it.  But its first steps suggest they are up to the task.