Today the most important dividing line is whether one believes in the past or the future. Through courageous decisions and a steady tide of investment, the people there are seeing peace grow from wish to fulfillment. Prosperity there, too, is the key to making it happen. A breakthrough occurred at the Wye Summit because the parties decided to look forward, not backward, to focus on the need for security and on tangible economic benefits like the Gaza Airport, the future seaport, the safe passage between Gaza and the West Bank, the Gaza Industrial Estate, which may provide employment for up to 20,000 Palestinians. All these will enable the predictable movement of people and goods, crucial to building a healthy investment climate.
Every economy needs a chance to breathe.
These steps will provide good breathing room. All of you here today know how important your work is. Too many lives have already been lost in the Middle East, from prime ministers to simple passers-by who became random victims of the burning hatred. Today you help again to change this dynamic. Today you know we have the best chance for peace there in our lifetimes.