- Jul 1, 2018
- 2,456
STATE OF ISRAEL
Dear President Avery LaFleur,
I am writing to respectfully urge your Administration to reaffirm its steadfast support for Israel's sovereign right to determine its own diplomatic and security policies in light of recent criticism from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye regarding Israel's decision concerning the Oslo framework and recognition of the Palestinian Authority.
Türkiye's statement argues that Israel's decision should be met with international pressure and that the United States, as a principal facilitator of the Oslo Accords, has a responsibility to compel Israel to reverse course. I respectfully disagree with that conclusion. While the United States should continue to encourage peace and regional stability, it should not seek to dictate Israel's sovereign political decisions or compel recognition of an entity that Israel has chosen not to recognize.
Recognition of another state or governing authority is a sovereign political decision. Just as every nation has the right to extend or withhold diplomatic recognition according to its own laws, constitutional processes, and national interests, Israel also possesses that sovereign right. Diplomatic recognition has never been an obligation imposed by international law upon states, but rather a matter of national policy. Accordingly, Israel should not be singled out or condemned merely for exercising a discretion that every sovereign nation possesses.
Supporting Israel's decision does not require abandoning the pursuit of peace. On the contrary, the United States can continue advocating for dialogue and negotiated solutions while recognizing that meaningful negotiations depend upon willing participants acting in good faith. Any future political settlement must be the product of direct negotiations between the parties rather than external pressure placed upon one side alone.
I also believe it is important for the United States to reaffirm that support for Israel should not be interpreted as support for unnecessary military escalation or territorial expansion through armed conflict. While Israel has every right to defend itself against threats to its security, the long-term objective should remain a stable and peaceful region where disputes are resolved through diplomacy rather than violence. The United States can simultaneously support Israel's security, respect its sovereign diplomatic choices, and encourage peaceful efforts to resolve outstanding issues.
The longstanding friendship between the United States and Israel is founded upon shared democratic values, strategic cooperation, and mutual security interests. Throughout decades of regional instability, Israel has remained one of America's closest and most reliable partners in the Middle East. That partnership should not be weakened because Israel has made a sovereign diplomatic decision with which other governments disagree.
Türkiye's statement urges the United States to employ diplomatic and political pressure to compel Israel to reverse its position. I respectfully submit that such an approach would undermine the principle of sovereign equality among nations and risk encouraging the perception that close allies are subject to political coercion for exercising decisions that fall within their sovereign competence. Rather than compelling recognition or adherence to a particular political framework, the United States should encourage conditions that make voluntary negotiations possible when both parties are prepared to engage constructively.
The United States has long championed the principles of national sovereignty, democratic self-government, and the rule of law. Applying those principles consistently means recognizing Israel's right to determine its own diplomatic relationships, including whether it recognizes a Palestinian state or the Palestinian Authority. Respect for sovereignty should not be contingent upon international approval of a nation's political decisions.
I respectfully ask your Administration to continue standing firmly alongside Israel, to recognize its sovereign right to determine its diplomatic policy without external coercion, and to pursue American leadership that promotes regional stability, genuine negotiations, and lasting peace through diplomacy rather than imposed political outcomes.
Thank you for your time, your consideration, and your continued leadership in advancing the security interests of the United States and its allies.
Kind Regards,
Naftali Bennett
Prime Minister
State of Israel
I am writing to respectfully urge your Administration to reaffirm its steadfast support for Israel's sovereign right to determine its own diplomatic and security policies in light of recent criticism from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye regarding Israel's decision concerning the Oslo framework and recognition of the Palestinian Authority.
Türkiye's statement argues that Israel's decision should be met with international pressure and that the United States, as a principal facilitator of the Oslo Accords, has a responsibility to compel Israel to reverse course. I respectfully disagree with that conclusion. While the United States should continue to encourage peace and regional stability, it should not seek to dictate Israel's sovereign political decisions or compel recognition of an entity that Israel has chosen not to recognize.
Recognition of another state or governing authority is a sovereign political decision. Just as every nation has the right to extend or withhold diplomatic recognition according to its own laws, constitutional processes, and national interests, Israel also possesses that sovereign right. Diplomatic recognition has never been an obligation imposed by international law upon states, but rather a matter of national policy. Accordingly, Israel should not be singled out or condemned merely for exercising a discretion that every sovereign nation possesses.
Supporting Israel's decision does not require abandoning the pursuit of peace. On the contrary, the United States can continue advocating for dialogue and negotiated solutions while recognizing that meaningful negotiations depend upon willing participants acting in good faith. Any future political settlement must be the product of direct negotiations between the parties rather than external pressure placed upon one side alone.
I also believe it is important for the United States to reaffirm that support for Israel should not be interpreted as support for unnecessary military escalation or territorial expansion through armed conflict. While Israel has every right to defend itself against threats to its security, the long-term objective should remain a stable and peaceful region where disputes are resolved through diplomacy rather than violence. The United States can simultaneously support Israel's security, respect its sovereign diplomatic choices, and encourage peaceful efforts to resolve outstanding issues.
The longstanding friendship between the United States and Israel is founded upon shared democratic values, strategic cooperation, and mutual security interests. Throughout decades of regional instability, Israel has remained one of America's closest and most reliable partners in the Middle East. That partnership should not be weakened because Israel has made a sovereign diplomatic decision with which other governments disagree.
Türkiye's statement urges the United States to employ diplomatic and political pressure to compel Israel to reverse its position. I respectfully submit that such an approach would undermine the principle of sovereign equality among nations and risk encouraging the perception that close allies are subject to political coercion for exercising decisions that fall within their sovereign competence. Rather than compelling recognition or adherence to a particular political framework, the United States should encourage conditions that make voluntary negotiations possible when both parties are prepared to engage constructively.
The United States has long championed the principles of national sovereignty, democratic self-government, and the rule of law. Applying those principles consistently means recognizing Israel's right to determine its own diplomatic relationships, including whether it recognizes a Palestinian state or the Palestinian Authority. Respect for sovereignty should not be contingent upon international approval of a nation's political decisions.
I respectfully ask your Administration to continue standing firmly alongside Israel, to recognize its sovereign right to determine its diplomatic policy without external coercion, and to pursue American leadership that promotes regional stability, genuine negotiations, and lasting peace through diplomacy rather than imposed political outcomes.
Thank you for your time, your consideration, and your continued leadership in advancing the security interests of the United States and its allies.
Kind Regards,
Naftali Bennett
Prime Minister
State of Israel
This email and any accompanying documents are intended exclusively for the designated recipient(s) and may contain information that is confidential, proprietary, or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please inform the sender immediately and permanently delete this message from your system. Any unauthorized access, reproduction, distribution, or use of this communication is strictly prohibited.
Please be advised that all correspondence originating from the State of Israel is transmitted using state-sanctioned encryption protocols. While every effort has been made to ensure this message and its attachments are free from harmful content, the sender cannot accept liability for any potential damage or data loss resulting from their use.
OdinsonPlease be advised that all correspondence originating from the State of Israel is transmitted using state-sanctioned encryption protocols. While every effort has been made to ensure this message and its attachments are free from harmful content, the sender cannot accept liability for any potential damage or data loss resulting from their use.
