George Mitchell in November 2007
http://www.middleeastprogress.org/georgemitchell/
"Political and security measures can't succeed in any sustainable way unless a very high priority is also given to economic issues.... economic improvement ... has to be front and center, an integral daily part of the process or else the process can't gain the necessary support of the people in the societies that are engaged in conflict.... I believe, in every conflict situation people need physical security, they need political freedom, they need personal dignity. In the end what people need most of all are jobs. Economic growth, job creation, to give people opportunity, hope, create a sense of meaningful participation in society."
Netanyahu in November 2008 to a Knesset committee http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1036764.html
Israel intends "to advance peace talks with the Palestinians, in order to gain a stable, safe, and prosperous peace." The Likud leader also vowed that Israel will "continue diplomatic negotiations and we will advance the 'economic peace' whose goal is to bring the rapid development of the Palestinian economy and to prepare public opinion for a real agreement. The economic peace is not an alternative for peace talks but will help guide a winning process. We have seen this in the world, quickened economic development has helped form the conditions for peace and the resolution of conflict," Netanyahu said.
