In a Rosh Hashana message to the Jewish community, U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday night urged Jews and Arabs to “seize the opportunity” for peace in the coming year. "At a time when Israelis and Palestinians have returned to direct dialogue, it is up to us to encourage and support those who are willing to move beyond their differences and work towards security and peace in the Holy Land," Obama said in the videotaped message, adding that although he did not expect progress to be easy, “we had an opportunity to move forward, toward the goal we share—two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security," he said.