Governor Huntsman, other western governors call for cease-fire
Jan 02, 2009
Salt Lake City – Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, Chair of the Western Governors’ Association, was joined by Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter and Colorado Governor Bill Ritter in issuing the following joint statement regarding the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict:
The recent increase in hostilities between Israel and Hamas is evidence that lasting peace in the region is an elusive goal. The deaths of innocent civilians on both sides of the border as a result of the hostilities are proof that we must continue to work toward peace, rather than resolving our disputes through aggression.
We support the right of Israel to defend itself from aggressors and to ensure the peace and prosperity of its citizens.
We therefore, are calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas and the establishment of a lasting and meaningful cease-fire. For this process to begin, Hamas must end its series of rocket attacks into Israeli sovereign land. The two sides must then work together in good faith to work toward peace in the region.
