[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
[April 14, 2004]
[Pages 576-578]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the Israeli Disengagement Plan and the Middle East Peace 
Process
April 14, 2004

    I remain hopeful and determined to find a way forward toward a 
resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

The Israeli Plan:

    I welcome the disengagement plan prepared by the Government of 
Israel, under which Israel would withdraw certain military installations 
and all settlements from Gaza, and withdraw certain military 
installations and settlements in the West Bank. These steps will mark 
real progress toward realizing the vision I set forth in June 2002 of 
two states living side by side in peace and security, and make a real 
contribution toward peace.
    I am hopeful that steps pursuant to this plan, consistent with this 
vision, will remind all states and parties of their own obligations 
under the roadmap.

The Path to Peace:

    I believe certain principles, which are very widely accepted in the 
international community, show us the path forward:
     The right of self defense and the need to fight terrorism 
            are equally matters of international agreement.
     The two-state vision and the roadmap for peace designed to 
            implement it, command nearly universal support as the best 
            means of achieving a permanent peace and an end to the 
            Israeli occupation that began in 1967.
     United Nations Security Council resolutions have repeatedly 
            spoken of the desirability of establishing two independent 
            states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side within 
            secure and recognized borders.
    Having these principles in mind, the United States is able to make 
the following comments.

Peace Plans:

    The United States remains committed to the vision of two states 
living side by side in peace and security, and its implementation as 
described in the roadmap. The United States will do its utmost to 
prevent any attempt by anyone to impose any other plan.

Security:

    There will be no security for Israelis or Palestinians until they 
and all states, in the region and beyond, join together to fight 
terrorism and dismantle terrorist organizations. The United States 
reiterates its steadfast commitment to Israel's security, including 
secure, defensible borders, and to preserve and strengthen Israel's 
capability to deter and defend itself, by itself, against any threat or 
possible combination of threats. The United States will join with others 
in the international community to strengthen the capacity and will of 
Palestinian security forces to fight terrorism and dismantle terrorist 
capabilities and infrastructure.

Terrorism:

    Israel will retain its right to defend itself against terrorism, 
including to take actions against terrorist organizations. The United 
States will lead efforts, working together

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with Jordan, Egypt, and others in the international community, to build 
the capacity and will of Palestinian institutions to fight terrorism, 
dismantle terrorist organizations, and prevent the areas from which 
Israel has withdrawn from posing a threat that would have to be 
addressed by any other means. The United States understands that after 
Israel withdraws from Gaza and/or parts of the West Bank, and pending 
agreements on other arrangements, existing arrangements regarding 
control of airspace, territorial waters, and land passages of the West 
Bank and Gaza will continue.

The Two-State Solution:

    The United States remains committed to the two-state solution for 
peace in the Middle East as set forth in June 2002, and to the roadmap 
as the best path to realize that vision.
    The goal of two independent states has repeatedly been recognized in 
international resolutions and agreements, and it remains a key to 
resolving this conflict. The United States is strongly committed to 
Israel's security and well-being as a Jewish state. It seems clear that 
an agreed, just, fair and realistic framework for a solution to the 
Palestinian refugee issue as part of any final status agreement will 
need to be found through the establishment of a Palestinian state, and 
the settling of Palestinian refugees there, rather than in Israel.
    As part of a final peace settlement, Israel must have secure and 
recognized borders, which should emerge from negotiations between the 
parties in accordance with UNSC Resolutions 242 and 338. In light of new 
realities on the ground, including already existing major Israeli 
populations centers, it is unrealistic to expect that the outcome of 
final status negotiations will be a full and complete return to the 
armistice lines of 1949, and all previous efforts to negotiate a two-
state solution have reached the same conclusion. It is realistic to 
expect that any final status agreement will only be achieved on the 
basis of mutually agreed changes that reflect these realities.

Palestinian Statehood:

    The United States supports the establishment of a Palestinian state 
that is viable, contiguous, sovereign, and independent, so that the 
Palestinian people can build their own future in accordance with the 
vision I set forth in June 2002 and with the path set forth in the 
roadmap. The United States will join with others in the international 
community to foster the development of democratic political institutions 
and new leadership committed to those institutions, the reconstruction 
of civic institutions, the growth of a free and prosperous economy, and 
the building of capable security institutions dedicated to maintaining 
law and order and dismantling terrorist organizations.

Palestinian Obligations:

    Under the roadmap, Palestinians must undertake an immediate 
cessation of armed activity and all acts of violence against Israelis 
anywhere, and all official Palestinian institutions must end incitement 
against Israel. The Palestinian leadership must act decisively against 
terror, including sustained, targeted, and effective operations to stop 
terrorism and dismantle terrorist capabilities and infrastructure. 
Palestinians must undertake a comprehensive and fundamental political 
reform that includes a strong parliamentary democracy and an empowered 
prime minister.

Israeli Obligations:

    The Government of Israel is committed to take additional steps on 
the West Bank, including progress toward a freeze on settlement 
activity, removing unauthorized outposts, and improving the humanitarian 
situation by easing restrictions on the movement of Palestinians not 
engaged in terrorist activities.
    As the Government of Israel has stated, the barrier being erected by 
Israel should

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be a security rather than political barrier, should be temporary rather 
than permanent, and therefore not prejudice any final status issues 
including final borders, and its route should take into account, 
consistent with security needs, its impact on Palestinians not engaged 
in terrorist activities.

Regional Cooperation:

    A peace settlement negotiated between Israelis and Palestinians 
would be a great boon not only to those peoples but to the peoples of 
the entire region. Accordingly, all states in the region have special 
responsibilities: to support the building of the institutions of a 
Palestinian state; to fight terrorism, and cut off all forms of 
assistance to individuals and groups engaged in terrorism; and to begin 
now to move toward more normal relations with the State of Israel. These 
actions would be true contributions to building peace in the region.