77 United States senators have signed a letter to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pointing out the importance of Arab states’ cooperation in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.  The Arab countries must “stop support for terrorist groups and cease all anti-Israel and anti-Jewish incitement” and act for regional peace, the letter said. 

The senators also called on Arab states to recognize Israel, “and not use such recognition as a bargaining chip for future concessions.”  They called on Arab countries and the PA to reject terrorism and to isolate Hamas.  If Arab countries do not take these steps, they warned, “peace in the region will remain elusive.”