To advance the interests of the United States, including the security of the State of Israel and the stability of the Middle East, the United States must demonstrate diplomatic leadership in the region at the highest level.

The United States must be a catalyst for establishing peace and security.  History teaches us that without US leadership at the highest level, Arabs and Israelis will not make the compromises needed to secure agreements.

Washington must play the role of "honest broker."  While the commitment of the United States to Israel's security as a Jewish and democratic state must never be in doubt, the U.S. cannot succeed as mediator or otherwise unless both Israelis and Arabs view us as fair.

Israel's security is a core American interest.

The United States should provide military aid to Israel to ensure it can withstand any threats to its security. At the same time, it is clear that there is no military solution to the conflicts between Israel and its Arab neighbors, and that long-term, sustainable peace and security can only be achieved through peace agreements.

Terrorism, violence and incitement are central impediments to peace in the region and should be collectively and explicitly renounced. Similarly, rockets targeting innocent civilians along Israel's northern and southern borders should be condemned by the United States.

A two-state solution - an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip existing peacefully alongside Israel - is an imperative.  It is the only way to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and ensure Israel's security and future as a Jewish and democratic state.  It is also in the interests of the United States, Israel, the Palestinians and the international community.

Nonetheless, the possibility of achieving a negotiated two-state solution is disappearing. More and more people in the region are talking seriously about other options, particularly the one-state solution. The resulting bi-national state would end Israel's Jewish and democratic character, and destroy the primary rationale for Israel's existence: to serve as a national home for the Jewish people.

Ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - as well as the broader Israeli-Arab conflict - will require the endorsement and support of the international community. The United States should lead the effort to obtain this endorsement and support - in particular from the Arab League or its constituent members.

The Arab Peace Initiative, formally introduced at the Arab Summit in March 2002, states that following successful negotiations, all Arab and Muslim countries will "consider the Arab-Israeli conflict ended, enter into a peace agreement with Israel ... and establish normal relations with Israel..." The Palestinian Authority has recently openly endorsed it.

The United States should vigorously support and facilitate efforts to reach an Israeli-Syrian peace treaty. A peace agreement between Israel and Syria is unrealistic if the United States is not actively engaged.