We hope this letter finds you well.

We write to you with regard to your recent efforts to begin a new chapter in the journey toward peace in the Middle East.

We appreciate your stated commitment to Israel’s security. We understand that it is your view that working for a “two state solution” is a means of achieving that security.

But we are deeply troubled by your statements with regard to Israel’s policy on settlements.

Mr. President, across a broad range of issues you have demonstrated your ability and leadership by acknowledging the complexity attendant to most challenges and proposing appropriately nuanced policies. Such a nuanced approach, however, is glaringly absent from current U.S. policy toward Israel’s “settlements.” To the contrary, this policy has, to date, reflected a blunderbuss, one-size-fits-all attitude toward everything from building a new house on an empty lot in the midst of the city of Ma’ale Adumim, to erecting new houses on an empty hilltop in Samaria.

The current simplistic and indiscriminate approach is not only illogical, it is also counterproductive to your goals since it forces Israelis and their supporters into a defensive posture, as opposed to one open to negotiations and creative solutions.

It is time, Mr. President, to inject constructive energy and momentum into the conversation by adjusting U.S. policy to recognize that the United States understands the policy implications and practical distinctions between, for example, major Jewish population centers (such as Jerusalem’s eastern neighborhoods, Ma’ale Adumin, or Efrat) and other locations in Judea and Samaria.

Members of Congress, among many others, recognize these distinctions and your Administration should as well.

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you further.

Sincerely,

Stephen Savitsky Rabbi Steven Weil