A two-pronged approach, including both resumption of peace talks and preparing the ground for the establishment of a Palestinian state, is necessary in order to resolve theIsraeli-Palestinian conflict, US Middle East envoy George Mitchell said in astatement issued Thursday morning.
Accordingto the statement, both encouragement of the “parties to enternegotiations to reach an agreement on all permanent status issues”and helping “the Palestinians build the economy and institutionsthat will be necessary when a Palestinian state is established” areequally necessary.
“Thetwo objectives are mutually reinforcing. Each is essential. Neithercan be attained without the other,” the statement read.