Obama Responds to Palestinian Petition, in Support for the Two-State Solution

Published today (updated) 20/09/2010 20:28

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) --

US President Barack Obama responded to a petition Sunday signed by Palestinians calling for an end to the Israeli occupation and support for Palestinian self-determination.

The letter was delivered to Sabri Seiydem, who coordinated the campaign, via the US Consulate in East Jerusalem. The letter was signed on behalf of the president by US Secretary of State assistant Jeffrey Feltman.

Seiydem said the letter confirmed the US' commitment to a two-state solution and Obama's personal commitment to achieving peace, security and prosperity in the region.

"The US administration is working hard without halt to bring success to peace efforts, beginning with the President to the US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and peace envoy George Mitchell," the letter read.

Obama addressed the thousands of signatories, saying the US shared in the Palestinian determination for rights and self-determination "and to live in dignity," confirming his "indefinite commitment to achieving the hopes and aspirations of the Palestinians in reaching peace with their neighbors."

The US president also detailed plans for the peace process, calling on Palestinian and Israeli leaders to deal with final status issues and to reach an agreement within a year, also affirming the US commitment to helping the Palestinian Authority build its institutions for the future Palestinian state.

The petition was launched at the beginning of April, using Internet, social networking sites, TV and radio announcements, as means to encourage Palestinians at home and in the diaspora to sign the letter to Obama.

Seiydem said an unprecedented number of Palestinians signed the petition, as well as local organizations, companies, TV and radio stations.

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