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Political Dimension Remains Central in Kerry Approach to Peace

Despite the importance of the economic dimension of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the political dimension of the approach to peace remains paramount.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (C) is joined by Israeli President Shimon Peres (L) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa at the King Hussein Convention Centre, at the Dead Sea May 26, 2013.  REUTERS/Jim Young  (JORDAN - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) - RTX101SF

It is positive, indeed, that the focus at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa, held in Jordan, was on mobilizing to generate $4 billion worth of investments for the occupied Palestinian territories to help fight unemployment by creating much-needed jobs.

Such an approach has the strong support of a large group of Palestinian and Israeli business people, who call themselves Breaking the Impasse, who are committed to peace via economic development and are acting as a lobby to promote it. US Secretary of State John Kerry was quoted as saying that such investment could greatly reduce Palestinian unemployment, from almost 21% to 8%. It would also consolidate the building of the future Palestinian state.

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