U.S. needs firmer stance for Mideast peace

As an American who loves Israel but cannot close my eyes to what they know is wrong, I feel it is time for the U.S. to take a firm and open stand on what we and the world expect of them to secure peace in the Middle East. As it is now, the extremist settlers, who are against a two-state solution, are overly influential and very detrimental to a peaceful settlement.

Only American pressure can solve the problem between Israel and the Palestinians, and we should be clear and insist on our position. Six veterans of U.S. foreign policy, including Zbigniew Brzezinski, in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, have suggested a forceful and public expression of certain fundamental U.S. positions regarding settlements and other items to secure Israeli security and Palestinian rights.

These suggestions should be known by the American people as a potential solution to peace in the area and to keep undue influence from determining our policy.

Jim Crane

Arlington Heights