NEW YORK, May 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The American Jewish Committee this week welcomed the publication of the "road map" to Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Praising President Bush (news - web sites)'s continuing efforts to bring about a durable, negotiated Israeli-Palestinian peace, AJC Executive Director David Harris noted that AJC remains "committed to fulfilling President Bush's vision of two states, living side by side in peace and security," which the president first articulated on June 24, 2002.

"The 'road map' offers an opportunity to restart talks that the Palestinians so abruptly ended with Israel nearly three years ago," said Harris, "but time is needed to test whether Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and his Cabinet are prepared and capable of working with Israel as a true partner for peace. After the experience of the past 31 months of unrelenting terror against Israelis, caution is understandable."

Ongoing terrorism, such as the latest deadly suicide bombing in Tel Aviv early Thursday morning, and the promise by Palestinian terrorist groups to carry out more violence, is a sobering reminder of the formidable challenges ahead in implementing the "road map," he said.

"Israel has repeatedly stated its desire for peace and its willingness to make 'painful concessions' in the process," Harris said. "But it can only be expected to move forward on implementing the road map as long as Israel has full confidence that the Palestinian Authority (news - web sites) is doing everything necessary to meet its obligations, first and foremost to counter terror and to confront those terrorist organizations, such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, openly committed to Israel's complete destruction," he said.

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