Israeli and Palestinian Business Leaders Support Secretary Kerry’s Efforts and DC Talks

* Key Israeli and Palestinian business leaders welcome peace talks
* Members of the World Economic Forum`s Breaking the Impasse Initiative committed to supporting two-state solution
* More information about Breaking the Impasse Initiative is available at http://www.weforum.org/videos/breaking-impasse

Geneva, Switzerland – The World Economic Forum’s Breaking the Impasse Initiative (BTI), an effort of over 300 Palestinian, Israeli and international business and societal leaders, spearheaded by Prof. Klaus Schwab, Munib Masri, Chairman of PADICO Holding and Yossi Vardi, Chairman of International Technologies Ventures, since June 2012, welcomes and supports the steps announced by US Secretary of State John Kerry for a resumption of direct peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians, which are set to begin today in Washington DC. Members of the BTI hope the efforts by Secretary Kerry and the planned negotiations will bear fruit and meet the aspirations of all concerned parties.

Strictly non-political and independent, the BTI comprises major employers on both sides, who have come together around the principles of a two-state solution and the strong belief that there are majority constituencies for peace on the basis of a two-state solution, in both societies. Over the past year, members of the BTI have used private and public platforms to underscore the urgency of ending the impasse in negotiations, including on May 26, 2013 at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa in Jordan, in the presence of Secretary Kerry, President Abbas and President Peres.

Building on the World Economic Forum’s unique role in the peace process since the 1990s, the BTI and its members will continue to support political leaders as they resume negotiations, by working in Israeli and Palestinian communities as well as by catalysing further international support through the global Davos community.

Notes to Editors

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