Christian, Muslim, Jewish Leaders Urge U.S. Leadership to End Israeli-Palestinian Violence

February 7, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune

Wire Service: AP

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/faith/15399626.html

American Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders say there is an urgent need for U.S. leadership to negotiate a lasting cease-fire in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

In a statement released Monday, the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East expressed support for President Bush's leadership in the region so far.

Now, the group says the U.S. and its partners should "press more urgently for meaningful, reciprocal, simultaneous steps by Israel and the Palestinian Authority to improve conditions on the ground and help restore people's hopes that a peace agreement is possible."